Kuwait talks on Yemen to kick off Monday

A fresh peace talks round on the Yemeni conflict is scheduled to kick off Monday in Kuwait.

Representatives of the rebels and the legitimate government of Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi will take part in the negotiations, aiming to put an end the country's conflict that caused real suffering for the Yemeni people over the past five years.

A UN-brokered truce took effect at midnight on April 10 in Yemen to pave the way for the Kuwait peace talks, scheduled to be held under auspices of UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmad.

There have already been several failed attempts to defuse the conflict in Yemen.

On Jan 27, 2011, Yemenis took to the streets against then President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been ruling the country for over 30 years.

On June 3, 2011, Saleh was injured in a rocket attack and flown to Saudi Arabia, returning home in September.

On Nov 23, 2011, Saleh agreed to hand over power to his deputy Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi. A unity government including prime minister from opposition was formed. From February 2012, Hadi was inaugurated as president after uncontested elections. 

On Jan 25, 2014, as the National Dialogue Conference winded up after 10 months of deliberation, agreeing a document on which the new constitution will be based. 

Nevertheless, the Houthis managed to take control of Sanaa on Sept 21, 2014 with the support of former president Saleh.

In January 2015, Houthis rejected a draft constitution proposed by the government and in February appoint a presidential council to replace Hadi, who fled to Aden southern stronghold. 

In March 2015, Daesh carried out its first major attack in Yemen — two suicide bombings targeting mosques in Sanaa, in which 137 people were killed, while Houthi rebels start to advance towards southern Yemen. 

On March 25, A pro-Hadi Arab coalition launched airstrikes against Houthi targets and imposed a naval blockade as demanded by the Yemeni president.

The airstrikes, named Operation Decisive Storm lasted until April 21, 2015. In September 2015, Hadi returned to Aden after his government forces recaptured the port city from Houthi forces and launched advance on Aden. 

In March 2016, UN envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Sheikh Ahmad announced that all parties agreed on cessation of hostilities starting April 10 and peace talks resume in Kuwait on April 18.

Source : MENA