OIC welcomes ending of operation decisive storm in Yemen

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) welcomed the announcement by Saudi Arabia ending operation Decisive Storm and that a "Hope Phase" is now launched in Yemen.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday, 21 April 2015, that military actions in Yemen have been successfully completed, and that the campaign has been in response to the request of President Abdu Rabuh Mansour Hadi, President of the Republic of Yemen, to protect Yemen and its legitimate institutions, social fabric and religious tolerance against the escalation by the Houthi militia and their supporters from former power centers and misguided foreign sources.

The OIC Secretary General, Iyad Ameen Madani, said that the statement paves the way for a political process in accordance with the Gulf initiative, its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive Yemeni national dialogue and the Security Council resolution 2216 under Chapter VII.

Madani also added that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abd Al-Aziz, had always affirmed that Riyadh welcomes all Yemeni political factions committed to the legitimate political process and who renounce subversionary actions, to meet in Riyadh under the umbrella of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Madani also expressed the hope that all OIC Member States would play a positive role to push for security, peace and stability and territorial integrity in Yemen; and the protection of its legitimate institutions.

Madani further added that the deterrence achieved by the coalition's military operations, and the launching of hope phase would leave no doubt that encroaching on the national interests or seeking the disruption of the social fabric of others to exert influence and dominance is doomed to failure.

He also called on donor countries and OIC Member States to contribute to the success of the reconstruction and development programmes in Yemen and to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the affected parts of the country.