The office of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, announced on Saturday that he met with senior U.S. officials to discuss the latest developments in Yemen and ways to strengthen an inclusive political process led by the United Nations amid escalating regional military tensions that undermine peace prospects.

According to a statement from his office, which was reviewed by "Barran Press," Grundberg concluded a two-day visit to Washington where he engaged in discussions with key figures, including the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Under Secretary of State John Bass, Senior Advisor to the President Phil Gordon, U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Daniel P. Shapiro, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Brian Grim.

During these meetings, Grundberg emphasized the need to maintain the progress made by the parties toward a nationwide ceasefire, improving living conditions in Yemen, and resuming political negotiations. He underscored the importance of unified and sustained regional and international support to help the parties fulfill the UN roadmap and build on their commitments.

The envoy also addressed the "arbitrary" detentions carried out by the Houthi group, which is internationally classified as a terrorist organization, against dozens of UN staff, NGO workers, and diplomats, many of whom have been referred for "prosecution."

In this context, the UN envoy renewed his call for the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release those detained, highlighting the ongoing efforts by the UN in this regard.

Grundberg's visit to Washington is part of his broader efforts to rally international support for the resumption of the political process in Yemen. Earlier, on October 11, he visited Moscow, where he met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin to discuss enhancing commitments to the comprehensive peace roadmap despite the current escalations.

The office of the UN envoy noted that these meetings focused on strengthening international efforts to support Yemen's path toward stability and ensuring a coordinated approach to overcoming current challenges and promoting lasting solutions.

The envoy pointed out the economic challenges, increasing tensions in the Red Sea, and broader regional dynamics, stressing that unified regional and international support for UN mediation efforts in Yemen is crucial for effectively addressing the urgent needs of the Yemeni people and paving the way for a peace process that ensures sustainable and irreversible progress.

In December 2023, the UN announced that Yemeni parties reached understandings to commit to a series of measures, including implementing a nationwide ceasefire, improving living conditions in Yemen, and preparing to resume an inclusive political process under UN auspices.

However, the roadmap and peace efforts have stalled due to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden since November of last year.