Yemen Government Slams UN over Supporting Houthis with Demining Vehicles

Yemen’s government criticized the UN on Wednesday for delivering dozens of armored vehicles to a demining center believed to be run by the Houthi rebels.

The UN Development Programme said on Tuesday that it had provided 20 Hilux armored vehicles to the Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre to support its demining activities in the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa and Salif.

“We know that the Houthis will use these vehicles to accelerate their military activities and the UN is now seen as a criminal partner in planting landmines,” Hamza Al Kamaly, Yemen’s Deputy Minister of Youth, told The National,

“The government and coalition must take a stronger stance against the UN,” Mr Al Kamaly said, adding that the UN has donated millions of dollars to YEMAC, which he believes has been diverted to the rebels.

“The government and coalition must take a stronger stance against the UN,” Mr Al Kamaly said, adding that the UN has donated millions of dollars to YEMAC, which he believes has been diverted to the rebels.

“It’s unfortunate that the funding offered by an ally is being diverted to finance the rebels’ mining programmes, which are supervised by the Iranians,” he said.

“The rebels have not made a declaration regarding their so-called demining efforts.”

Yemeni activist Baraa Shiban also supports the government’s claims.

“The Houthis are the only group in the Yemen conflict that are planting mines, according to the UN Human Rights commission,” he said on Twitter, urging UNDP to carry out an investigation.

UNDP said in a statement that it operates in Yemen alongside YEMAC to clear “explosives, conduct land surveys and focus efforts in a place where the impact and need is greatest”.

“YEMAC’s work clearing the ports of Hodeidah – and UNDP’s role to ensure they are best equipped to do so – is vital to the future of the country and the welfare of the Yemeni people,” UNDP’s resident representative, Auke Lootsma, said.

The vehicle handover is the first of a larger vehicle procurement for YEMAC in both northern and southern Yemen, said the statement.

Source:

The National