UN Envoy Urges Restraint over Yemen, Region ‘Increasingly Precarious’

 14 June 2022, US, New York: Hans Grundberg, UN envoy, speaks at a meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Yemen. (UN Photo/dpa)
14 June 2022, US, New York: Hans Grundberg, UN envoy, speaks at a meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Yemen. (UN Photo/dpa)
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UN Envoy Urges Restraint over Yemen, Region ‘Increasingly Precarious’

 14 June 2022, US, New York: Hans Grundberg, UN envoy, speaks at a meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Yemen. (UN Photo/dpa)
14 June 2022, US, New York: Hans Grundberg, UN envoy, speaks at a meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Yemen. (UN Photo/dpa)

The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Saturday urged maximum restraint by all parties involved in Yemen and warned of an increasingly uncertain situation in the region.

The envoy "notes with serious concern the increasingly precarious regional context, and its adverse impact on peace efforts in Yemen and stability and security in the region," he said in a statement.  

He reiterated the Secretary-General’s call for all involved to avoid actions that would worsen the situation in Yemen, escalate the threat to maritime trade routes, or further fuel regional tensions at this critical time.  

He stressed the need to protect Yemeni civilians, and to safeguard the progress of peace efforts since the truce of April 2022.  

This includes the recent commitments by the parties in December 2023 and the ongoing discussions around a UN Roadmap that would operationalize a nationwide ceasefire, resume an inclusive political process under UN auspices, and address key priorities for the benefit of the Yemeni people.  

He urged "all involved to exercise maximum restraint and to prioritize diplomatic channels over military options," calling for de-escalation



Jordan Army Says It Thwarts Border Infiltration across Syria, One Killed

In this May 23, 2021, file photo, the Syria national flag is displayed at a gathering at Omayyid Square in the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria. (AP)
In this May 23, 2021, file photo, the Syria national flag is displayed at a gathering at Omayyid Square in the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria. (AP)
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Jordan Army Says It Thwarts Border Infiltration across Syria, One Killed

In this May 23, 2021, file photo, the Syria national flag is displayed at a gathering at Omayyid Square in the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria. (AP)
In this May 23, 2021, file photo, the Syria national flag is displayed at a gathering at Omayyid Square in the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria. (AP)

The Jordanian army said on Sunday it had killed one person and arrested six others who tried to cross the border from Syria.

Officials say there has been a spike in such attempts in recent weeks by drug and arms smugglers linked to pro-Iranian militias who hold sway in southern Syria.

The army says they have also used drones in their operations.

Damascus denies any complicity and says it tries to curb rampant drug and arms smuggling across the border with Jordan.