Riyadh // Saudi Arabia is considering temporary halts in coalition airstrikes against rebels in Yemen to allow for aid deliveries, foreign minister Adel Al Jubeir said on Monday.
The kingdom will consult members of the coalition on “finding specific areas inside Yemen ... where all air operations will be paused at specific times to allow for the delivery of aid,” Mr Al Jubeir said.
The Saudi-led coalition of Sunni Arab countries launched airstrikes in Yemen in late March against the Iran-backed Shiite Houthi rebels and their allies after they seized control of large parts of the country including the capital Sanaa.
President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi fled to Saudi Arabi as the rebels advanced on his southern refuge of Aden, and anti-government forces have refused to concede territory or down arms despite international pressure.
The United Nations has called for a humanitarian pause in the conflict, as relief agencies say they desperately need supplies, including fuel to run infrastructure such as hospitals.
It warned that key infrastructure in the war-torn country, including water supplies, health services and telecommunications, are on the verge of breaking down due to a major fuel shortage.
Mr Al Jubeir said Saudi Arabia “plans to establish a centre on its territory to be in charge of coordinating all humanitarian aid efforts” with the UN, donors and other relevant agencies.
He warned the rebels against “taking advantage” of any pause in the bombing.
Saudi Arabia “will deal with any violations in connection with the suspension of air strikes or movements that hinder humanitarian efforts,” he said.
Russia proposed last week a draft statement at the UN security council calling for an immediate ceasefire or at least humanitarian pauses, and an urgent return to political negotiations, but it failed to win endorsement. Moscow’s diplomacy has been greeted with some suspicion given the country’s close ties to Iran, which is supporting the Houthis.
The Saudi-led coalition, which includes its fellow GCC members except Oman, carried out heavy airstrikes targeting several airports across Yemen on Monday.
In Aden, more than 150 airstrikes hit the city’s airport, witnesses and security officials said. Houthi rebels and allied units from the military that are loyal to the former preaidet Al Abdullah Saleh have been locked in fierce fighting there against forces loyal to Mr Hadi.
Monday’s airstrikes also hit airports in the city of Hodeida and the capital, Sanaa, witnesses and officials said. They said other airstrikes targeted the eastern province of Marib and the Houthi stronghold of Saada, which borders Saudi Arabia.
The coalition says it has so far not deployed troops inside Yemen, although it has kept the option open. Yemen’s foreign minister on Monday clarified reports that coalition troops had joined the fighting in Aden.
Reyad Yassin Abdulla said special forces troops fighting the Houthis in the southern port city were Yemenis who were deployed there two weeks ago after retraining in Gulf Arab countries, not foreign troops.
“It’s a group of the Yemeni forces. We retrained them and we send them to organise things. We are now training more and we are sending more,” said Mr Abdulla, who is part of Mr Hadi’s government in exile in Riyadh.
The fighters’ smart uniforms and equipment led to reports on Sunday that the coalition had sent in ground troops after weeks of airstrikes.
At least 1,200 people have been killed in fighting in Yemen since March 19 and thousands more have been wounded, according to the UN. It estimates that at least 300,000 people have been displaced by the conflict.
The US secretary of state John Kerry will discuss the security sitauation in the region with Saudi leaders during a two-day visit to Riyadh from Wednesday,
The US state department said Mr Kerry would then travel to Paris, where he will hold further talks with GCC foreign ministers.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia will give Yemenis staying illegally in a reprieve, in line with the coalition’s pledge to “Restore Hope” in its southern neighbour, official media said on Monday.
Illegals in the kingdom prior to April 9 will be eligible for renewable visit visas valid for an initial six months, the Saudi Press Agency said, citing a joint statement from the ministries of interior and labour.
It said eligible Yemenis will be allowed to work.
* Agence France-Presse, Associated Press and Reuters