In the scheme of Yemen's almost eight-year civil war, two months of relative calm might only seem like a small, tentative step in the right direction. But the conflict has been so terrible that any lull in fighting merits celebration at the highest levels of international diplomacy.
The world can now celebrate such a step, after the UN announced on Tuesday that warring parties in the country have agreed to extend a two-month ceasefire, which was first struck on April 2, for the second time. If it holds, it means Yemen will have enjoyed half a year of relative peace by October 2.
Welcoming the announcement of a second extension, US President Joe Biden said the ceasefire had brought a period of "unprecedented calm". He is right. Over the past eight years, extreme violence in the country has caused one of the worst humanitarian crises today, leaving more than 23 million people in need of assistance this year, in areas including food, medicine, hygiene and education. The country is fractured and divided, and a belligerent stalemate and new global conflicts had risked the world diverting its attention elsewhere. Now, as a result of the extension, Yemenis can for the most part think beyond the basics of protecting their families from violence for another two months.
But the extension is not just about a cessation of fighting. It is also about the potential for longer-term solutions to be found. Mr Biden urged Yemeni parties “to seize this opportunity to work constructively under UN auspices to reach an inclusive, comprehensive agreement that includes steps to improve freedom of movement and expanded salary payments and that paves the way for a durable, Yemeni-led resolution to the conflict". He also thanked the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Oman for helping to bring about the extension.
Yemenis now have the space to start thinking about such solutions. The priority in war will always be safety, but without work on significant measures, the foundations for peace will never be laid. One such priority is ending the Houthi siege of the south-western city of Taez. There has been some limited progress in recent months. In June, the rebels said they had agreed to reopen two roads around the city. Two months more of constructive peace must finish the job. In terms of movement, more destinations should also be opened to and from the country and the crucial port and logistics hub of Hodeidah must be revived as much as possible.
Most urgently of all, the UN envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, shared that the extension included a commitment from all sides "to intensify negotiations to reach an expanded truce agreement as soon as possible". The very fact that officials are able to contemplate progress in these areas is good news. Statements of the same kind over the past eight years would typically have struck a far more sombre, perhaps even steadily resigned tone, calling for a cessation of awful violence and the urgent need to respond to the humanitarian crisis.
This question is still there, as are groups in Yemen in whose interests it is for the war to continue. The increasingly peace-minded majority can best triumph over them by committing to upcoming negotiations and extending the ceasefire further if needed. Importantly, having a legitimate and internationally recognised government leading the country is key.
Yemen is still only at the beginning of a better future, and there is uncertainty as to whether it will last. Nonetheless, it is a beginning that has been hard to contemplate for a very long time, that is proving durable and which is maintaining the attention of the international community. That is why, however tentative, it deserves celebration.
Company profile
Company: Eighty6
Date started: October 2021
Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Hospitality
Size: 25 employees
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investment: $1 million
Investors: Seed funding, angel investors
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Atalanta v Juventus (6pm)
AC Milan v Napoli (9pm)
Torino v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Sunday
Bologna v Parma (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Lazio (6pm)
Roma v Brescia (6pm)
Verona v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Udinese (9pm)
Lecce v Cagliari (11.45pm)
Monday
SPAL v Genoa (11.45pm)
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Big%20Ape%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20LucasArts%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PC%2C%20PlayStation%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Company profile
Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018
Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: Health-tech
Size: 22 employees
Funding: Seed funding
Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Notable Yas events in 2017/18
October 13-14 KartZone (complimentary trials)
December 14-16 The Gulf 12 Hours Endurance race
March 5 Yas Marina Circuit Karting Enduro event
March 8-9 UAE Rotax Max Challenge
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWest%20Asia%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Bahrain%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Jebel%20Ali%20Dragons%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%201%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%202%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%20III%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDubai%20Sevens%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
