Int’l Organization: Saudi-Omani Mediation Reduced Political Violence in Yemen

Homes are destroyed after Houthi attacks on Yemen’s Taiz city. (Yemeni National Committee for Investigation)
Homes are destroyed after Houthi attacks on Yemen’s Taiz city. (Yemeni National Committee for Investigation)
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Int’l Organization: Saudi-Omani Mediation Reduced Political Violence in Yemen

Homes are destroyed after Houthi attacks on Yemen’s Taiz city. (Yemeni National Committee for Investigation)
Homes are destroyed after Houthi attacks on Yemen’s Taiz city. (Yemeni National Committee for Investigation)

Political violence in Yemen reached its lowest point in April, according to a global conflict monitoring organization. The organization attributed the decline to the diplomatic efforts of Saudi Arabia and Oman, as well as a gathering of mediators with the Houthi leadership in Sanaa.

According to a report prepared by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), the decrease in violence is anticipated to persist throughout May.

Last month, political violence in Yemen dropped by 30% compared to the month prior, reaching the lowest level since the beginning of the war.

This steep decrease coincided with a five-day Saudi and Omani delegation visit led by the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen to the capital city of Sanaa, amidst Oman-brokered peace negotiations.

Although no deal was announced following the visit, signs of detente materialized in the following days with the second-largest exchange of detainees between the conflict parties.

Ongoing negotiations center on a reopening of Yemen’s ports and airports, the payment of civil servants’ salaries in Houthi-controlled areas, direct talks between the Houthis and the internationally recognized Yemeni government, and a two-year political transition.

According to ACLED’s CAST predictions, the decline in violence associated with the peace negotiations is likely to continue in May 2023.

In other news, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has issued a warning regarding new floods in Yemen.

Heavy rainfall is expected to hit nine provinces during the upcoming week, according to the organization.

The expected floods are especially likely to affect over 5,000 people in Wadi Zabid, over 2,000 in Siham, and in Mour, over 1,000 in Tuban, and in the north part of Wadi Harad, over 800 in Rimah, and in Banna, and about 700 in Sordud.

Avoiding exposure to the hazard and implementation of contingency plans was strongly advised by the FAO.

Most of the flood fields in Yemen have been affected by heavy rains, resulting in significant damage, including the collapse of a major dam that caused the death of four individuals in Al Mahwit, according to a weather forecast early warning bulletin.

The downpour also flooded streets and homes in other areas, particularly in Ibb and large parts of the highlands, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

According to the forecast, eastern parts of Yemen are expected to experience consecutive dry days, while heavy rainfall is predicted for the western regions. As a result, dust storms are likely to occur, impacting both humans and livestock and posing serious health challenges.



Grundberg Concludes Visit to Sanaa, Urges Houthis to Deescalate Tensions, Release Detainees

Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
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Grundberg Concludes Visit to Sanaa, Urges Houthis to Deescalate Tensions, Release Detainees

Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)

The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, urged on Thursday Houthi leaders to reduce national and regional escalation and release the detained UN staff and other humanitarian personnel.
The envoy stressed his determination to safeguard the progress made to date on the peace roadmap, which has been frozen since Houthis have stepped up their attacks against shipping routes in the Red Sea corridor.
Grundberg’s comments came on Thursday as he concluded a visit to Sanaa, his first to the Yemeni capital since May 2023.
The visit comes amid hopes that his efforts would prepare the ground for concrete actions for advancing the peace process in the country.
In a statement, Grundberg said he held discussions with senior political and military officials to renew engagement on the political process, focusing on addressing challenges and exploring possibilities for advancing peace within the region’s complex context.
During his meetings with Houthi leaders, the special envoy stressed the importance of national and regional de-escalation to foster an environment conducive to dialogue.
He urged the need for concrete actions to pave the way forward for a political process to achieve sustainable peace and stability across Yemen.
Grundberg’s discussions also highlighted the importance of taking steps to address economic challenges and improve living conditions, while simultaneously advancing preparations for a ceasefire – critical components of the road map and reaching a political resolution that meets the aspirations of Yemenis.
“I am determined to safeguard the progress made to date on the roadmap and keep focus on the prospects for peace in Yemen,” Grundberg noted.
Discussions on the conflict-related detainees file built on the progress made during negotiations held in Oman in July 2024.
The envoy emphasized that the file is vital for confidence building between the parties and advancing previous commitments.
He then underscored the importance of prioritizing this humanitarian issue as a step toward fostering trust that can help enable broader agreements and signal commitment to the peace process.
Protection of Civil Society
The Special Envoy started his visit to Sanaa at the home of the family of his colleague who has been arbitrarily detained by Houthis since June 2024.
He expressed his deepest compassion for what they have been enduring during this difficult period and offered his support, a statement by his office said.
Grundberg then updated the family on the UN efforts to secure the release of all arbitrarily detained personnel.
He also expressed solidarity with the families of the other detainees, acknowledging their shared anguish and the urgent need for their loved ones' release.
In all his discussions, the envoy strongly urged Houthis to release immediately and unconditionally the detained personnel from the UN, NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions.
Grundberg then echoed the Secretary General’s message that the arbitrary detentions are unacceptable and constitute a violation of international law.
“We must protect the role of civil society and humanitarian personnel. They make vital contributions to peace and rebuilding Yemen,” stated the Special Envoy.
Grundberg arrived in Yemen after holding talks with Omani officials in Muscat. Present at the talks was Houthi spokesman and chief negotiator Mohammed Abdelsalam.
The envoy is hoping to make a breakthrough in the Yemeni crisis after his efforts stalled with the Houthis launching their attacks on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping routes.
The Visit’s Agenda
Grundberg, a Swedish diplomat, is in Sanaa as part of his efforts to push the Houthis to take concrete actions for advancing the peace process.
He will also be pushing for the release of the arbitrarily detained UN personnel and also from other NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions.
The envoy said he plans to conduct a series of national and regional meetings in the coming days under his mediation efforts.