The Illusion of Ceasefire in Yemen

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

During talks in Sweden, warring parties agreed on ceasing hostilities beginning on December 18.

A UN message to both sides set Tuesday as the day to end hostilities in and around the port city of Hodeidah - the main entry point for what humanitarian aid is able to get into the country, way short of what's needed.

US-supported blockade prevents most of what's desperately needed from entering Yemen. Warring parties failed to agree on most issues, including on permitting unobstructed Sanaa airport operations - nor resolving conflict in most of the country.

According to Houthi media on December 19, Saudi and UAE shelling of Hodeidah continues, flagrantly breaching what was agreed on.

Saudi-controlled media lied, claiming Houthi fighters initiated shelling after the ceasefire took effect. So far, Saudi/UAE terror-bombing of the city and surrounding areas stopped after midnight December 17.

It continues in other parts of the country, just a matter of time before Hodeidah is again attacked, Houthis likely to be falsely blamed for US-supported Saudi/UAE aggression.

For the moment, fighting on the ground is less intense than earlier, a likely short-term letup before escalating again. 

Ceasefire only covers Hodeidah and surrounding areas. Straightaway after Yemen peace talks ended in Sweden on December 13, Saudi and UAE warplanes terror-bombed Hodeidah. It's just a matter of time before it resumes again.

Yemen is Washington's war. Bipartisan hardliners reject peace and stability in all US active theaters, including Iraq and Libya, infested with US-supported terrorists. 

A state of war continues in both countries because that's what Washington wants - endless war in Iraq since the Carter administration, in Afghanistan by US-led forces since October 7, 2001.

No prospect for ending any US wars exists any time soon, why they rage endlessly, including in Yemen.

UN mediators scheduled talks with both sides to discuss withdrawal of forces from Hodeidah. The world body intends sending a so-called peacekeeping mission as soon as it can be cobbled together.

Wherever Blue Helmets show up, things get worse in many respects, not better. They have nothing to do with maintaining peace, everything to do with serving US-led Western interests.

If NATO troops are deployed, Pentagon commanders will have direct control of their mission, making things even worse than under Blue Helmets.

War in Yemen rages with no prospect for resolving it any time soon. It's pure illusion to believe otherwise.

A Final Comment

On Thursday, SouthFront reported that Saudi and UAE warplanes terror-bombed Sanaa's airport, held by the Houthis. Saudi controlled al-Arabia turned truth on its head, claiming:

"The airstrike(s) (are) in line with the international humanitarian law and its customary rules, especially that precautions were taken" - a bald-faced lie.

Continued US-supported Saudi/UAE terror-bombing, other than targeting Hodeidah and its surroundings for the past few days, flagrantly breaches the spirit of what was agreed on in Sweden.

It shows ceasefire is pure illusion. Hodeidah may again be attacked in the coming days, entirely unravelling the spirit of Sweden.

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My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

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