UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths has opened four internationally sponsored "fronts" through which he aspires to bring peace to war-torn Yemen.

These fronts are: a nationwide ceasefire, humanitarian and economic measures to alleviate the suffering of Yemenis, a speedy resumption of the political process and fostering joint efforts to fight the threat posed by the new coronavirus pandemic.

"I hope that these consultations can be soon completed and deliver what Yemenis expect, demand and deserve," Griffiths said.

Griffiths is in daily consultations aimed at bringing the warring sides together in "virtual" negotiations as soon as possible, a statement from his office said.

For observers of Yemeni developments, it is hard not to doubt the political process, especially after the stalemate the Stockholm Agreement had hit.

The UN has issued a global call for armed groups to stand down during the pandemic.

The Yemen government had responded positively to the appeal, despite the recent escalation by the Iran-backed Houthi militias that last month fired two ballistic missiles towards Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led Arab coalition retaliated with a sophisticated operation against Houthi military targets in Yemen.

The Houthis are now facing a choice: either stand down and side with the UN or remain a proxy to the Iranian regime in the region.

The Yemen government demanded that the UN Security Council and international community exercise pressure on the Houthis to halt their escalation and respond positively to the UN Secretary General ceasefire call with no preconditions.

“The government position is clear. We are ready to go to the urgent meeting any time, but the Houthis are mounting their escalation and laying down several preconditions for political extortion,” it said.

-Asharq Al-Awsat

-File photo