The Organization of Islamic Cooperation welcomed the announcement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to end operation of Determination Storm and the launch of a hopeful phase 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 Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi 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 executive mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive national dialogue in Yemen and the Security Council resolution 2216 under Chapter VII. Madani also added that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz had always affirmed that Riyadh welcomes all Yemeni political factions committed to the legitimate political process and who renounce subversive actions, to meet in Riyadh under the umbrella of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The OIC Secretary General 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 renewal 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. The Secretary General also called on donor countries and OIC Member States to contribute to the reconstruction and development programmes in Yemen and to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the affected parts of the country.
