The local authorities in Hodeidah Governorate (western Yemen) announced a new initiative on Wednesday to open three roads connecting areas under the control of the internationally recognized Yemeni government with areas controlled by the Houthi group, which is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries.

Hodeidah Deputy Governor, Walid Al-Qudaymi, confirmed the initiative on his X account, seen by Barran Press, stating that the local authorities are ready to open the "Faza, Hays Al-Jarrahi, and Al-Jarrahi Jabal Ras" roads simultaneously as a humanitarian gesture to alleviate the suffering of citizens in the governorate.

Al-Qudaymi said, "We announced the opening of the main Hays Al-Jarrahi road as a humanitarian corridor to alleviate the suffering of citizens, but the Houthis rejected the initiative and announced the opening of a military road (Al-Jarrahi - Jabal Ras - Hays), which is a rugged mountainous road connecting Hodeidah and Ibb governorates (Aden Road), while this area remains a military barracks."

He pointed out that the road the Houthis announced opening is "mined every inch, even villages, houses, schools, trees, and rocks are mined." He added, "The suffering of citizens under the Houthis has become a pleasure for them, so they reject any initiative that alleviates their suffering."

In February, the National Resistance Forces, led by Presidential Leadership Council member Tariq Saleh, announced an initiative to open the "Hays-Al-Jarrahi" road in Hodeidah Governorate.

Last August, Presidential Leadership Council member Tariq Saleh revealed a "unilateral initiative" to open the "Hays" road as "a legitimate right of the people of Tihama to travel in their districts, and every military force will guard its area as all open roads."

In April 2022, the joint forces on the western coast unilaterally opened the "Hays-Al-Jarrahi" road for humanitarian reasons and in compliance with the UN truce. However, the Houthis responded to this initiative by establishing positions near the road and firing on citizens who attempted to pass through.