Yemen conflict

Saudi announces $1.5b aid as Russia calls for diplomatic solution

MOSCOW: Russia yesterday called for an end to fighting in Yemen, saying there could be no military solution to the nearly four-year war between Huthi rebels and the Saudi-backed government, reports AFP.

Meanwhile, a Saudi-led military coalition yesterday announced $1.5 billion in new humanitarian aid for Yemen, after the United Nations made what it called a record appeal for assistance for the war-ravaged country.

The coalition also said it would also "increase the capacities of Yemeni ports to receive humanitarian" imports, as it faces mounting criticism for imposing a crippling blockade on the country.

The latest aid package, which follows last week's $2 billion Saudi cash injection to Yemen's central bank, comes amid an ever-broadening crisis in the country, where the conflict, cholera and looming famine have killed thousands and put millions of lives at risk. Russia halted its diplomatic presence in Yemen last month because of the deepening conflict and Moscow has previously expressed concern about strikes by the Saudi-led coalition. "There is no alternative but to end armed conflict as soon as possible in Yemen and it is essential that those taking part in the conflict renounce their attempts to resolve existing problems by force," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow with his Yemeni counterpart Abdulmalik al-Mekhlafi.

Moscow would engage with all sides to help the situation "move from a military scenario to a political dialogue," Lavrov said. The Yemeni foreign minister said "the legitimate government of Yemen, in common with the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia, supports a peaceful solution," in comments translated into Russian.

 

Yemen conflict

Saudi announces $1.5b aid as Russia calls for diplomatic solution

MOSCOW: Russia yesterday called for an end to fighting in Yemen, saying there could be no military solution to the nearly four-year war between Huthi rebels and the Saudi-backed government, reports AFP. Meanwhile, a Saudi-led military coalition yesterday announced $1.5 billion in new humanitarian aid for Yemen, after the United Nations made what it called a record appeal for assistance for the war-ravaged country. The coalition also said it would also increase the capacities of Yemeni ports to receive humanitarian imports, as it faces mounting criticism for imposing a crippling blockade on the country. The latest aid package, which follows last weeks $2 billion Saudi cash injection to Yemens central bank, comes amid an ever-broadening crisis in the country, where the conflict, cholera and looming famine have killed thousands and put millions of lives at risk. Russia halted its diplomatic presence in Yemen last month because of the deepening conflict and Moscow has previously expressed concern about strikes by the Saudi-led coalition. There is no alternative but to end armed conflict as soon as possible in Yemen and it is essential that those taking part in the conflict renounce their attempts to resolve existing problems by force, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow with his Yemeni counterpart Abdulmalik al-Mekhlafi. Moscow would engage with all sides to help the situation move from a military scenario to a political dialogue, Lavrov said. The Yemeni foreign minister said the legitimate government of Yemen, in common with the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia, supports a peaceful solution, in comments translated into Russian.