While he welcomed the Saudi initiative to open flights for pilgrims from Sanaa airport to Jeddah, the UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, today (Monday) condemned the Houthi escalation in Marib, Al-Dhalea, Al-Hodeidah and Taiz, calling on the parties to the conflict to take decisive steps towards a peaceful and comprehensive solution.
In his briefing to the UN Security Council today, Grundberg said: “Despite the tangible decrease in fighting since the beginning of the armistice, the fronts have not yet stopped. Armed clashes took place in Al-Dhalea, Taiz, Al-Hodeidah, Marib and Shabwa,” expressing his concern about the reports of movements of the Houthi forces. Including movements near Marib, in addition to a show of fighters in Ibb recently.
He added, “The process in which the United Nations plays the role of mediation is a process owned and led by Yemenis and will include and reflect the priorities of Yemeni pluralism, including women and men from all governorates of Yemen,” stressing by saying: “Yemenis have rich capabilities to build upon in any political negotiations.”
He pointed out that the relative calm opened the way for serious discussions with the Yemeni actors about the path of progress towards ending the conflict, but if we want to end the war in a sustainable manner, these talks must reach a real breakthrough, indicating that he continues his consultations with the Yemeni and regional parties in order to reach a solution. A cease-fire and a comprehensive political process.
Grundberg stressed the need for the political process to begin as soon as possible, calling for the release of all those arbitrarily detained.
The UN envoy warned against delay in reaching a comprehensive political solution, saying: “This process must begin urgently in order to consolidate the gains made since the armistice and prevent further fragmentation.”
The UN envoy renewed his calls for opening roads in all Yemeni governorates, ensuring the payment of salaries of all state employees, and opening more destinations to and from Sana’a International Airport, welcoming Saudi Arabia’s initiative to open flights to transport pilgrims from Sana’a Airport to the Kingdom.
