Consultations to extend the armistice dominated the most important events during July in Yemen, amid UN and international movements and efforts to pressure all parties to accept the extension of the armistice without prior conditions, in addition to various events at various levels.

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, intensified contacts with the parties in support of the implementation of all provisions of the armistice, and to explore opportunities to expand its scope and extend its term beyond 2 August.

The United Nations believes that extending and expanding the truce will increase the advantages for the Yemeni people, and will provide a platform for building more confidence between the parties, and starting serious discussions about economic priorities, such as: revenues and salaries, and security priorities, including the ceasefire. which ultimately aims to move forward towards a comprehensive political settlement that ends the conflict.

The steadfastness of the truce is largely observed over the past four months, which represented one of the longest periods of relative calm in Yemen after more than seven years of incessant conflict, during which the total number of civilian casualties decreased compared to their numbers before the truce. However, both sides raised concerns about alleged abuses and incidents on several battling fronts.

During the negotiations that took place in the Jordanian capital, Amman, in early July, the parties made proposals to open roads in Taiz and other governorates. A proposal submitted by the United Nations included three roads presented by Ansar Allah (Houthis), and one called by civil society. The Yemeni government accepted this proposal, but it was rejected by the "Houthis."

Thus, the parties agreed on the activation of Sana'a airport so that two commercial flights shall be allowed per week between Sanaa, Amman and Cairo, with a total of 32 flights during the four-month period. So far, 20 round-trip flights have been operated between Sana'a and Amman, and one round-trip between Sana'a and Cairo, carrying over 8000 passengers. The Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to Yemen is studying options to connect Sanaa airport with additional destinations as part of extending the armistice beyond August 2.

Moreover, the cease-fire also stipulated the entry of 36 fuel vessels into Hodeida port during the four-month period. So far, between April 2 and July 30, 26 fuel vessels have entered Hodeida port carrying 720,270 metric tons of fuel derivatives. One the same context, the office of the UN envoy confirmed that more fuel ships are under process. During the whole of 2021, only 23 fuel vessels carrying less than 470,000 metric tons entered Hodeida port.

Additionally, the UN envoy to Yemen believes that the renewal of the truce will lead to the regular entry of oil derivatives ships in a timely manner, in addition to the aspiration of the Yemeni people and the international community to implement, renew and fully strengthen the truce.

Many hope for the success of the efforts made by the UN envoy to Yemen and other parties to extend the truce that expires on August 2, 2022, given the hope that it has revived in the hearts of Yemeni people. It comes after the conflict left scars that affected every aspect of life, which can be observed the in Markets, roads, schools, courts, hospitals and homes. The impacts of the crisis have been affecting about 21 million people who are in dire need of urgent humanitarian and relief assistance. 

In addition, the month of July has observed some other events in which Yemen witnessed two air depressions and heavy rains that caused floods, torrential rains and damage to life and property. “Khuyut” monitored an increase in the prices of food and consumer goods during the month of July by more than 20%.

Highlights of the Armistice and other events

• On July 3, the office of the UN envoy to Yemen announced an amended proposal on the opening of roads in phases, following the initial rounds of negotiations held in the Jordanian capital, Amman, and subsequent bilateral discussions. According to the proposal, the first stage includes the opening of four roads in Taiz, including a road proposed by civil society, which will help alleviate the suffering of civilians and must be opened immediately. Moreover, the second phase includes the commitment of the parties to open main roads in Taiz and other governorates, including Marib, Al Baidha, Al Jawf, Al Hodeida, and Al Dhale’e.

• On July 5, the so-called liaison officers representing the parties in the Military Coordination Committee announced their consent to continue the current armistice in Yemen by renewing their commitment to stop all offensive land, air and sea military operations inside and outside Yemen, and to freeze armed events in the field.

• On July 8, the Ansar Allah group (Houthis) announced a unilateral decision to open the "Sixty - Fifty" road to the city of Taiz, and parties affiliated with the internationally recognized government announced similar decisions to open the "Mocha - Al Barh - Taiz" road and the road "Al-Dhalea – Qa'ataba - Al-Fakher - Damt."

• On July 11, the UN Security Council held a closed session to discuss the situation in Yemen, the developments of the armistice and the extent of commitment to its application.

• On July 13, the UN Security Council renewed the mandate of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeida Agreement (UNMHA) for a period of one year, until July 14, 2023.

• On July 14, US President Joe Biden made his first visit to the region, which included on this date, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is leading a coalition in the war in Yemen, and this file was on the agenda of this visit. The US official visit came at a very critical time in the region and the world and amid the preoccupation of efforts in Yemen with the extension of the armistice.

• On July 20, the Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, confirmed that he is intensifying his communications with the parties to support the execution of all provisions of the armistice, and to explore opportunities to expand and extend its scope beyond the second of August, noting the efforts being made to reach an agreement to open Major roads in Taiz, and a study of options to link Sana’a Airport to more destinations within the extension of the cease-fire.

• On July 21, media outlets and activists on social media circulated news that a large oil leak had occurred in the port of Aden, with a diameter of 14 kilometers (7 nautical miles), originating from a fuel vessel, which caused the death of tons of fish and marines swept to the shores of Aden during the past days.

• July 23, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) issued a report which included a warning of widespread flooding in Yemen during the period from July 19 to 31, due to the high probability of severe rainfalls.

• On July 24, several sources confirmed that the attack that hit the residential neighborhood of Zaid Al-Mushki in Taiz, which the authorities of the internationally recognized government accused the Ansar Allah group (Houthis) of committing it, resulted in the injury of 11 boys and girls, most of whom were under the age of ten.

• On July 28, the internationally recognized government announced a cabinet reshuffle in its members, which included appointing new ministers for about 4 ministries.

• On July 28, the United Nations announced that nearly 86,000 people in Yemen, including more than 10,000 families in Marib, displaced by the war, will be affected as a result of heavy rains and severe floods that hit several areas in the country.

• July 31, a delegation from the Sultanate of Oman arrives in Sana'a, accompanied by the negotiating team of the Ansar Allah group (Houthis), to consult with the group's leadership on developments related to the renewal of the armistice, and to discuss the proposals submitted by the UN envoy to address humanitarian and economic issues.

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