Chasing peace in Yemen-The events that led to the Stockholm peace agreement, and the way forward

• The ceasefire between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and forces loyal to President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi in the port city of Hodeida came into existence on December 18.
• The agreement was reached in UN-mediated talks held in Stockholm.
• With the UN also pushing for talks, the Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia gave the green light for talks.

         Yemen’s humanitarian situation

• Since the Saudi intervention in 2015, at least 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen, according to the WHO.
• The widespread damage caused to infrastructure by the coalition airstrikes and lack of supplies of food and medicines due to the blockade have pushed Yemen into a humanitarian catastrophe.
• A child dies every 10 minutes in Yemen from preventable causes, says UNICEF.

          Why is Saudi Arabia in Yemen?

• Saudi Arabia interfered in Yemen after the Shia Houthi rebels captured Sana’a, the capital city, and the internationally recognised government of President Hadi moved to the country’s south.
• The Saudis accuse Iran of bankrolling the Houthis and “destabilising” the Arabian peninsula.
• The Saudi plan was to expel the Houthis from Sana’a and restore the authority of the government.
• But almost four years since they launched the attack, the Houthis still control Sana’a and much of the north of Yemen.
• They also fire short-range missiles across the border into Saudi Arabia, which has become a major security concern for Riyadh.
• Barring some violations, the ceasefire held on the second day.
• The Houthis have seen loss of territory in recent months, while the Saudi coalition is facing growing international pressure.
• According to the agreement, all combatants should withdraw from Hodeida in 21 days.
• UN observers will set up a monitoring team of government and rebel representatives to oversee the truce.
• But the Stockholm agreement is primarily focussed on Yemen’s humanitarian conditions.
• A solution to the conflict can be found only if the rebels and the government make some political concessions.

The Hindu