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Iraq offers to mediate, end war on Yemen

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Jul 2023 16:25

The Iraqi FM says his country has good relations with all parties in Yemen and can use its influence for stability and security in the war-torn country.

Children walk among the graves of people martyred during the war on Yemen at a cemetery in the capital Sanaa, on April 14, 2023 (AFP)

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein said at a press conference on Sunday that his country is offering to mediate between the conflicting parties in Yemen in an effort to end the war.

The proposal was submitted during a visit from the Foreign Minister of the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council Ahmed bin Mubarak.

"Currently, there is an unofficial truce. In practice, there is some form of ceasefire... We hope this situation leads to dialogue between all Yemeni parties," Hussein stressed, adding that "Iraq is ready to help in this matter. We have good relations with all parties. We can use our influence for stability and security in Yemen, and we can act on a regional level."

Iraq has constantly tried to emphasize its role as a regional mediator and has already hosted several rounds of low-level talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia since April 2021.

Back in March, Saudi Arabia and Iran resumed diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by China, which raised hopes for the same to occur in Yemen.

"Unfortunately, for now, we have not seen any direct impact of this agreement on the situation in Yemen," bin Mubarak said, adding, "But we remain hopeful... We believe the time has come to put an end to this war in Yemen."

This comes one day after informed sources told Al Mayadeen that Sanaa received an offer from Saudi Arabia in January by which Riyadh would cover the salary of workers for an entire year in exchange for the renewal of the armistice and the resumption of the export of Yemeni oil.

Sanaa "demanded that Saudi Arabia stop imposing controls on the export of Yemeni oil and enable the Yemeni people to utilize their rights to their wealth," the sources indicated.

It is noteworthy that Riyadh's ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Jaber, traveled to Sanaa back in April with a plan to "stabilize" the truce and although no deal was struck, Jaber confirmed that the parties are serious about ending the conflict.