Riyadh, 22 April 2015: The Saudi Arabia-led coalition command on Tuesday announced the end of the military campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen after they received a message from President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Wednesday.
The coalition stated that the airstrikes conducted as part of the “Operation Decisive Storm” military campaign managed “to successfully remove threats to Saudi Arabia’s security and that of neighbouring countries”, SPA reported citing a Saudi defence ministry official.
“The coalition will continue to prevent the movement of Houthi militias from moving or undertaking any operations inside Yemen,” the official said.
A new campaign, named “Operation Restoring Hope”, was also announced after the military campaign launched on March 26 fulfilled its objectives.
The new push would usher in diplomatic and political efforts along with the military operations, the coalition said, adding that the campaign ended following a request received by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, from the “legitimate” Yemeni government led by President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
“Yemen’s history and the Arab nation will record with golden ink the firm historical stance which restored hope to the Yemeni people of their future whereas the Determination Storm has achieved its goals,” the request stated.
“We are confident that our joint endeavours with the coalition countries and the world community would pave the way in Yemen for a new phase, in which its people will fold the latest hurtful events that wreaked it.
“Finally, Yemen peoples’ free will, in drawing their future, away from any subjugation or coercion or imposition of a status quo by force by the Houthi militias and their supporters will prevail,” the request added.
“Operation Restoring Hope”, which would begin on Wednesday, aims to protect civilians and continue fighting terrorism in Yemen, according to the statement.
The coalition did not, however, signal a ceasefire, the official said.
The Saudi-led airstrikes and ground battles have killed about 700 people and wounded 3,000 over the course of nearly a month, according to the Yemeni health and interior ministries.
Iran welcomes halt
Iran has welcomed Saudi Arabia’s halt to its aerial campaign against Yemen, expressing hope that a national dialog among Yemeni parties would resume.
“Undoubtedly a halt to the killing of innocent and defenceless people is a step forward,” Press TV quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Marzieh Afkham as saying on Tuesday night.
“We had previously announced that the crisis in Yemen has no military solution,” she said.
The Iranian official expressed hope that measures required for the dispatch of humanitarian aid would be undertaken as soon as possible and negotiations be resumed among all Yemeni parties and groups towards the creation of an inclusive government.
Afkham also said she hoped that all parties contribute to the betterment of the situation.
The Iranian official made the remarks shortly after Riyadh declared the end of “Operation Decisive Storm” against Yemen and announced the beginning of a new phase dubbed “Operation Restoring Hope”.
Saudi Arabia has “ended Operation Decisive Storm based on a request by the Yemeni government” and fugitive former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, said Saudi government spokesman Brig. Gen. Ahmed al-Assiri on a televised broadcast.
He added that the Saudi naval blockade on Yemen would stay in place and the Saudi forces would continue targeting the Ansarullah movement’s Houthi fighters.
According to a Saudi military statement, the next phase of the operations — which would be aimed at commencing political talks and delivering aid, and a mixture of political, diplomatic and military efforts — will start on Wednesday.
(IANS)
