A spark of light in the dark: Yemen's Civil War spies a chance for peace

This week on The New Arab Voice, we examine the recent developments in the war in Yemen. 

On 19 April, Yemen's new leaders took a ceremonial oath of office under tight security, completing a major shake-up aimed at ending seven years of war with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Earlier in the month, a UN-brokered ceasefire gave the embattled citizens of the Gulf state a respite from years of intense and deadly fighting.

We explore if these two events could pave the way for peace in Yemen. Can the internationally recognised government form a unified military front? Are the Houthis using the pause to regroup and prepare for another offensive? Why do Saudi Arabia and the UAE want to exit the conflict? And, if a peace settlement can be reached, will the desperate population be provided with much needed aid. 

Featuring interviews with Abdulghani Al-Iryani (@AbdulGhani1959), a senior researcher at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies (@SanaaCenter). Previously he worked with the United Nations in the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen; and Baraa Shiban (@BShtwtr), a MENA caseworker with the human rights group Reprieve, a Yemeni researcher and analyst, and former member of the Yemeni National Dialogue Conference.

This podcast is produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel). 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk