News - Yemen: Yemen's President Mahdi Al-Mashat met with the Chairman of the Military Committee, Major General Yahya Al-Razami, instructing him to ensure the return of the remaining Yemeni pilgrims stranded without justification.

According to Saba News Agency, President Al-Mashat stated that the responsibility for the return of the pilgrims lies with the Saudi authorities under agreements with the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority. He emphasized that there is no justification for absolving the Saudi authorities from their responsibility to return the Yemeni pilgrims to the capital, Sana'a.

President Al-Mashat provided Major General Al-Razami with the necessary directives before his departure to Muscat to attend negotiations with the prisoners' committee under the auspices of the United Nations. He stressed the importance of conducting prisoner negotiations on the basis of "all for all," considering it a humanitarian issue.

The meeting comes amidst the complex situation faced by Yemeni pilgrims, as Saudi authorities have changed the return flight path of Yemenia Airways from Sana'a International Airport to Aden Airport. The pilgrims refused this change due to the additional costs and security risks associated with traveling through Aden Airport, which is controlled by UAE-backed forces with a notorious record of human rights violations, including the detention and abuse of travelers. Additionally, these forces have a history of "robbing and killing travelers returning to northern Yemeni provinces."

Two days ago, the Ministry of Guidance and Pilgrimage Affairs in Sana'a held the Saudi authorities, represented by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, fully responsible for the safety and return of Yemeni pilgrims to Sana'a.

A responsible source in the Ministry of Guidance stated to Saba News Agency that the ministry had formally addressed the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, demanding that he assume his responsibilities towards the stranded Yemeni pilgrims in the kingdom and facilitate their return to Sana'a Airport.