During a press conference in Riyadh on Monday, The spokesman for the Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen Colonel Turki Al-Malki affirmed that all members of the coalition and Yemeni parties continue to support efforts to reach a political solution in Yemen. He hailed the US State Department for welcoming the upcoming peace talks in Sweden, as well as the legitimate Yemeni government’s readiness to attend the talks. Additionally, Col. Al-Maliki highlighted the United Nations Special Envoy Martin Griffiths's visit to Sana'a and Hodeidah, and praised his efforts to hold peace consultations next month.
Col. Al-Maliki underscored the statement released yesterday by the Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen that detailed the discovery and dismantling of 36 sea mines in the southern Red Sea. He added that such violations and threats to global shipping routes give the impression that the Houthis are not serious in reaching a political solution despite their claims to the contrary. Col. Al-Maliki praised the efforts made by the naval coalition's engineering team to dismantle the sea mines, and stressed the naval alliance's ongoing commitment to dismantling and neutralizing sea mines.
On the humanitarian side, Col. Al-Maliki confirmed that the 22 air, sea and land relief entry points are operating normally and facilitating the entry of necessary goods and relief aid from UN agencies and international organizations. He also stated that the coalition continues to issue relief permits for imports, adding that the number of air, land and sea permits granted have totaled 34,955 permits.
Col. Al-Maliki praised Saudi Arabia and the UAE for launching the "Imdad" initiative that seeks to bridge the critical humanitarian needs gap in Yemen by providing support in the amount of $500 million. This is in addition to previous contributions to the 2018 comprehensive humanitarian plan in the amount of $250 million that was donated by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait. Col. Al-Maliki ensured the continuity of humanitarian assistance provided by the King Salman Humanitarian and Relief Centre to all Yemeni provinces, including provinces under the control of the Houthis.
