| Yemen to fight rebels for 'years' : This Is No Solution | |||
News agencies have reported that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has said the government is ready to fight Shia rebels in the north of the country for five or six years if necessary. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 47th anniversary of the overthrow of a Shia Muslim state, Mr Saleh urged the rebels to accept a ceasefire. The rebels accuse the government of breaching a recent truce. Hundreds have died in a recent flare-up in the five-year conflict, which has left 150,000 people displaced.
International concern about the conflict has intensified after witnesses said that more than 80 people were killed in a government air raid on a camp for displaced people on 16 September.The government offered two ceasefires, but fighting resumed within hours of each.Dozens more people were reported killed in Saada and Amran provinces on Thursday.The rebels, known as Houthis, complain of discrimination. They say they want greater autonomy and a greater role for Shias.Both sides see unwelcome influences from abroad, with the government accusing rebels of having Iranian backing and being accused itself of being influenced by Sunni-dominated | | ||
We are pained at this new flare up of the conflict. We think the government has more responsibility in this regard.Such armed rebellion is not acceptable but it is clear that this is continuing for a number of years in phases.It appears that a military solution is not possible.Ifthere is injustice to Shiah there it must end.In any case the government could approach the OIC for mediation .They have not done that.We ask the Yemini government to do so.OIC also suo moto contact the parties ans also Saudi Arabia and Iramn for a solution.
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