Asked by: Keith Vaz (Labour - Leicester East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has held with his Saudi Arabian counterpart on the withdrawal of Emirati troops from Yemen.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
We are aware of reports that the United Arab Emirates has begun withdrawing its forces from Hodeidah and welcome all efforts to de-escalate the conflict in Yemen. We call on the Yemeni parties to cooperate with the UN to implement the Hodeidah Agreement and work towards a resolution of this brutal conflict.
We have been clear that a political settlement is the only lasting solution to the Yemen conflict. It is crucial that all parties implement agreements made in Stockholm and continue to engage with UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and the UN-led political process. During the meeting of the Yemen Quad on 22 June, representatives of the UK, US, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates reiterated their support for UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and the peace process.
Asked by: Keith Vaz (Labour - Leicester East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number and size of armed groups trained by the UAE in Yemen since the beginning of 2015.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
The complex situation on the ground makes it difficult to assess the number and size of armed groups trained by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Yemen. We are however aware of UAE media reporting quoting a UAE official statement claiming the Emiratis had trained 90,000 Yemeni government fighters.
Asked by: Keith Vaz (Labour - Leicester East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent an escalation of violence in al-Hodeidah Governorate.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
We continue to warn that Any renewed military activity in Hodeidah would be catastrophic for Yemen, potentially pushing millions into famine. We welcomed Houthi redeployments as a crucial first step in the plan to implement the Hodeidah Agreement, but there is more to do. The UK encourages all parties to continue to constructively engage with the UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and General Lollesgaard. Implementing the Hodeidah Agreement remains a critical step towards the broader peace process.
Asked by: Keith Vaz (Labour - Leicester East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Iranian counterpart on recent attacks on oil tankers in the Middle East.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
This incident is deeply worrying at a time of already huge tension. These latest attacks build on a pattern of destabilising Iranian behaviour and pose a serious danger to peace and stability in the region.
The UK remains in close coordination with international partners to find diplomatic solutions to de-escalate tensions. Our Ambassador to Iran sought and was granted a meeting with the Iranian government on 15 June, where they discussed developments in the region and a range of other topics.
We have long made clear to Iran our concern about their destabilising regional activity, particularly the proliferation of ballistic missiles and support to non-state groups, in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere. In targeting civilian shipping, international norms have been violated. It is essential that tankers and crews are able to pass through international waters safely. We call on Iran urgently to cease all forms of destabilising activity.
On 22-23 June, I met with senior Iranian Government representatives. I held open, frank and constructive conversations with the Iranian authorities. I was clear about the UK’s long-held concerns over Iran’s activities, as well as the UK’s determination to maintain the nuclear deal which is in our shared security interests.
Asked by: Keith Vaz (Labour - Leicester East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Yemeni counterpart on the resignation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in that country.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
We are aware of reports of Mr al-Yamani’s resignation from the position of Yemeni Foreign Minister. We will continue to work constructively with the Government of Yemen and urge their continued co-operation with Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and the UN peace process.
Asked by: Keith Vaz (Labour - Leicester East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Saudi counterpart on coalition airstrikes in Sana’a on Thursday 13 June.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
We are concerned at reports of airstrikes in Sana’a on 13 June. This followed the Houthi attack on Abha airport on 12 June, on which we expressed our deep concern and urged parties to urge restraint and commit to the UN peace process. The UK continues to call on all parties to the conflict in Yemen to exercise restraint, comply fully with international humanitarian law and implement the Stockholm Agreement without delay to improve the humanitarian situation in Yemen.
Asked by: Keith Vaz (Labour - Leicester East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the UN-mediated talks in Amman between officials in Yemen’s Central bank, what steps he is taking to address concerns raised by international humanitarian organisations on ambiguities in the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
The UK continues to do all it can to support the UN to implement the agreements reached in Stockholm and commend the efforts of the UN Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths, in this regard. We note the initial progress achieved by the parties towards phase one of the redeployment of forces in Hodeidah and urge the parties to take the necessary next steps, in accordance with the agreed concept of operations, towards full implementation of the Hodeidah Agreement. We also call on the parties to continue broader implementation of the Stockholm Agreement, including full adherence to the ceasefire in Hodeidah Governorate, as well as the finalization of arrangements for the Prisoner Exchange Agreement and the statement of understanding on Taiz.