(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) RIYADH, Aug 4 (KUNA) -- The Saudi-led coalition for Yemen is not responsible for lack of fuel for UN aircraft that transport aid to Sana'a, the alliance spokesman said on Friday.
Colonel Turki Al-Maliki, in a statement, stressed that the coalition is not responsible for the lack of fuel at Sana'a airport for aircraft of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), as the city is under control of Al-Houthi militias and forces of the ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
He labelled as false and reports, citing the UNDP Director in Yemen, claiming that the coalition is hampering supply of fuel to the UN aircraft.
Col. Al-Maliki also categorically denied reports about purported difficulty to obtain permits from the coalition and the Yemeni government to transport jet fuel to Sana'a.
The coalition forces issue on daily permits for entry of fuel ships and basic and necessary materials, as well as humanitarian and medical assistance to all Yemeni ports without exception, including the port of Hodeidah under the control of Al-Houthi armed militias, he said, as quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The last permission was granted to the United Nations was on July 29, 2017, for dispatching of a convoy of aviation fuel from the city of Aden to Sana'a International Airport.
He pointed out that the coalition is only responsible for giving the permission for entry of ships to Yemeni ports, and that the organization of entry from the dock until the ship's arrival at berths to unload, is the responsibility of the party controlling the port, and that permits pertaining to the movements of international and relief convoys on the ground are subject to the approval of the legitimate government at the liberated territories and Al-Houthi militias as for the territories are under their control.
Explaining further, he said the coalition does not target the movement of convoys, including fuel tankers when moving from ports to all Yemeni provinces, and are included in daily non-targeting lists with special protection according to the rules of engagement.
Colonel Al-Maliki also pointed out that the coalition is following up on the presence of seven ships carrying fuel and authorized to enter the port of Hodeidah, yet Al-Houthi militias have not allowed them to unload cargo until now, asserting the quest of the "coup militias and their supporters to block the arrival of basic and necessary materials." "The coup militias are exploiting their control of some Yemeni ports to find a black market for raising money and supporting what they call the war effort in a flagrant challenge to all norms and humanitarian values." He stressed on the coalition keenness to meet requirements of the Yemeni people for basic and necessary goods as well as securing humanitarian aid to the Yemeni ports.
The coalition command has been operating since the beginning of the military operations and continues to exert all efforts to meet requests for entry of ships to all Yemeni ports at a time when the coalition appreciates and supports efforts of the international organizations operating in Yemen. (end) mdm.rk
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