KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Armed Forces will remain in Saudi Arabia to provide necessary assistance and facilitate aid to a beleaguered Yemen.
Malaysian troops who are based in Riyadh initial task was to provide assistance and facilitate the evacuations of Malaysians in Yemen.
"However, in light of the current situation, I have instructed the Malaysian Armed Forces to remain in the Kingdom, for the sole purpose of providing humanitarian assistance and possibly contribute to rebuilding efforts in Yemen if required.
"Additionally, Malaysia had taken a proactive step to engage the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and contribute in any way we can," he said in statement today
Hishammuddin earlier attended the emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the Coalition Supporting the Legitimacy in Yemen.
The session was held in Riyadh to announce the plan of comprehensive humanitarian operations in Yemen.
Hishammuddin noted that Yemen is experiencing a tragedy of immense proportions, exacerbated by violent groups interfering in the smooth political transition of the middle east nation’s legitimate government.
The on-going conflict in the country had internally displaced more than 2 million people, of which approximately 182,000 have become refugees.
Furthermore, an entire generation are starving and seen the crippling of over 600 medical structures across Yemen, essentially leading to the collapse of the nation’s healthcare system.
"Combined with millions in the cusp of famine; a cholera outbreak; with no access to adequate water, sanitation and hygiene – this truly has become one of the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time.
"We must act now, to ensure conditions improve before they become fully irreversible.
"Despite the coverage, perceptions and reactions from around the globe, we must ensure our focus remains on bringing a permanent end to the suffering of the Yemeni people," said Hishammuddin, who is also Special Functions Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
At the same, he said Malaysia welcomed the opening of the Red Sea ports of Al Hudaydah and Saleef to commercial and humanitarian shipments as a constructive step.
He said the opening of the two ports in Yemen would support the needs of the people, as 90 per cent of its staple food and nearly all its fuel and medicine, access the country through them.
On the emergency meeting which was held on Sunday to discuss Yemen’s attacks on Saudi Arabia, Hishammuddin emphasised that the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen is through a political solution.
Peace talks remain the top priority and humanitarian situation will only continue to deteriorate in the absence of a peace agreement that leads to a durable solution to the war, he added.
He also praised the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud.
He said King Salman had strengthened the role of the Coalition for the Support of Legitimacy in Yemen, while providing all kinds of humanitarian assistance and facilitating its access to the Yemeni people.
It was reported that the Yemeni rebels had been launching series of attacks on Saudi Arabia since July last year including on Mecca.
Saudi Arabia had intercepted a fresh missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on the south of the kingdom, which targeted a military base.
There were no reports of casualties or damage.