No military solution for Yemen

Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders says there is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen, urging political dialog to end the fighting there.

Reynders, who is on an official visit to Iran, made the remark during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in the capital, Tehran.

Responding to a question about the Saudi military campaign against Yemen, Reynders said the goal is to bring about a ceasefire and get all political actors in the country to the negotiating table.

“There is no military solution whatsoever to the conflict in Yemen,” the Belgian foreign minister said.

Yemen has been witnessing military strikes by Saudi Arabia since March 26. The military attacks are supposedly meant to undermine the Ansarullah movement and bring former fugitive Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi back to power.

The Saudi aggression has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 7,100 people and injured nearly 14,000 others. The strikes have also taken a heavy toll on the impoverished country’s facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories.

Human rights groups and international organizations have voiced deep concern over the rising number of civilian casualties in Yemen, calling for an end to the conflict.

During the Monday presser, Reynders said his country and Iran now have a chance to upgrade their bilateral ties.

Zarif, too, described the visit by the Belgian foreign minister to Iran as an opportunity to discuss boosting ties.

The Belgian minister arrived in Tehran on Sunday on a two-day visit. Reynders is accompanied by Belgian Minister of Energy Marie Christine Marghem and a high-ranking political and economic delegation.

Earlier on Monday, he met with Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani.