Barran Press
UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Thursday, August 15, 2024, called on the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by the international community, to "act responsibly and compassionately towards the citizens of their country and release all detainees unconditionally."
Grundberg made these remarks during his monthly briefing to the UN Security Council, outlining the latest developments and peace efforts in Yemen, according to the UN News website.
"In four days, on August 19th, we will celebrate World Humanitarian Day... yet, we are facing a crackdown on humanitarian and civil space in Yemen by Ansar Allah (Houthis)," Grundberg stated.
He added, "I urge Ansar Allah to act responsibly and compassionately towards the citizens of their country and release unconditionally all UN staff, NGO workers, civil society members, diplomatic missions, private sector personnel, and members of religious minorities."
In his briefing, Grundberg highlighted the "regional escalation happening alongside real and pressing challenges within Yemen," which he said "need to be addressed." He emphasized that "addressing the decade-long conflict in Yemen remains the focus of my efforts."
Regarding the "de-escalation agreement," Grundberg noted, "Last month, with the support of Saudi Arabia, the parties were able to halt a dangerous cycle of escalation that was negatively impacting Yemen's banking and transportation sectors and threatening to ignite a new military conflict."
He further stated, "I reiterate the importance of working towards currency unification, a unified central bank, and ensuring the banking sector is shielded from political interference." He added that his office has prepared "options and presented a proposal and a clear path to achieve these goals."
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is holding its monthly open and closed consultations on Yemen. The meeting is expected to focus primarily on the Houthi group's detention of 13 Yemeni employees from various UN agencies and offices since June, along with over 50 workers from NGOs and civil society organizations.
Several speakers at today's meeting are also expected to express concern about the destabilizing effects of regional tensions on Yemen.
Last month's periodic meeting on Yemen took place a day after the Council convened to discuss the Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 19th, and the retaliatory strikes launched by Israel on July 20th in and around the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.
While the Yemen file enjoys relative unity among Council members, divisions have emerged over the Red Sea crisis. Members of the P3 group (France, the UK, and the US) have criticized the Houthis' destabilizing actions, while Council members like Algeria, China, and Russia have stressed the importance of ending the conflict in Gaza to resolve the crisis in the Red Sea and prevent further regional escalation.