NYN | News
Sana’a has called for the full reopening of Sana’a International Airport to civilian air traffic, at a time when the Yemeni scene is witnessing a notable escalation amid growing disputes between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, recently culminating in the closure of Aden International Airport.
Mohammed Abdul Salam, chief negotiator for the Sana’a authorities, said that the continued closure of Sana’a Airport is not based on any legal or humanitarian justifications, stressing that keeping it out of service constitutes a clear violation of civilians’ rights.
The Blockade as Collective Punishment
Abdul Salam explained that the blockade imposed on Yemeni airports and ports amounts to a form of collective punishment against the Yemeni people, noting that this measure has exacerbated the suffering of patients and travelers and unjustifiably restricted humanitarian and commercial movement.
New Political Developments
The chief negotiator pointed out that the end of the coalition’s role and the emergence of Saudi Arabia alone at the forefront represent a major political shift with which Yemen concluded the past year, adding that these changes necessitate a different approach to addressing unresolved issues.
An Opportunity to Address Outstanding Issues
Abdul Salam emphasized that there is a real opportunity to address various issues in light of regional and international developments and to end the repercussions of what he described as the Saudi-American aggression against Yemen over the past years. He stressed that any path toward a solution must begin with lifting the blockade and respecting Yemeni sovereignty.
