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Griffiths Voices Concern about Houthi Aggression in Marib, Closure of Sanaa Airport

United Nations Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths addresses the UNSC. UN
United Nations Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths addresses the UNSC. UN
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Griffiths Voices Concern about Houthi Aggression in Marib, Closure of Sanaa Airport

United Nations Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths addresses the UNSC. UN
United Nations Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths addresses the UNSC. UN

The Iran-backed Houthi militia’s closure of Sanaa Airport to aid is “very worrying,” warned the United Nations envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, as he briefed the UN Security Council session on the latest developments in the war-torn country on Tuesday.

Griffiths also expressed deep concerns towards the continued military campaign mounted by the Houthis in Yemen’s Marib governorate.

“The situation in Marib is of concern. Military shifts in Marib have ripple effects on conflict dynamics. If Marib falls, it'd undermine prospects of convening an inclusive political process that brings about a transition based on partnership and plurality,” Griffiths said.

"Earlier this year, I warned that Yemen was at a critical juncture. I said either the guns would be silenced the political process would resume, or Yemen would slip back away from the road to peace. Alas, this is exactly what seems to be happening," he added.

“Last week I sent the two parties an advanced draft of the Joint Declaration which reflects and balances their comments and incorporates inputs from civil society and women. My appeal is simple. Choose peace. End this conflict. Work with us urgently on the Joint Declaration."

Reiterating his call for a ceasefire, Griffiths told the UNSC: “We expect to see the parties meet this week in Switzerland to continue discussing the implementation of prisoner exchanges under the joint auspices of my Office and International Committee of the Red Cross. I hope the meeting results in the release of these prisoners given the COVID-19 threat.”

Highlighting the role of the civil society in the resolution of the conflict, Griffiths told the UNSC that its “role is central in maintaining the pressure for a peaceful resolution. My Office is engaging Yemeni civil society regarding the Joint Declaration negotiations is discussing plans to ensure their meaningful inclusion in a future political process.”

The UN special envoy called the situation “very dire” but said the parties can choose to make compromises to allow for a political settlement.

The Acting Deputy Representative of the US to the UN, Ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet, criticized the UNSC during the briefing over its failure to counter Iranian aggression and inability to stop Tehran from smuggling weapons into Yemen.

The UN humanitarian chief, Mark Lowcock, addressing the Council, condemned the Houthis’ closure of the airport in Sanaa to UN and humanitarian flights.

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Iraq Reiterates Need for Int’l Coalition Forces to Remain

A convoy of US forces seen on the border between Syria and Iraq. (Reuters file)
A convoy of US forces seen on the border between Syria and Iraq. (Reuters file)
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Iraq Reiterates Need for Int’l Coalition Forces to Remain

A convoy of US forces seen on the border between Syria and Iraq. (Reuters file)
A convoy of US forces seen on the border between Syria and Iraq. (Reuters file)

Iraq’s security and defense committee announced on Sunday that “the need still stands” for the US-led anti-ISIS international coalition to remain in the country.

It made its announcement days after Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbasi made similar remarks.

In televised statements, he stressed that the international troops were still needed in Syria, adding that “Iraq and Syria’s security are indivisible.”

Security and military coordination with the coalition continues, he said.

Baghdad has not received any official notice about the withdrawal of the forces from Syria or Iraq, he revealed.

Iraq had in 2024 held three rounds of dialogue with the United States about organizing the presence of the coalition after the completion of the pullout of remaining American forces.

Pro-Iran factions in Iraq, which had for years demanded the withdrawal, have so far not commented on the latest statements about the coalition.

Abbasi added that the American and coalition forces were necessary in Syria to maintain the fight against ISIS remnants, which continue to be a cross-border threat.

The US Defense Department recently said that American troop movement from northern and eastern Syria to more secure locations in Iraq was part of a calculated, safe and professional redeployment plan aimed at consolidating the successes against ISIS and cementing regional stability.

It does not mean the end of the coalition’s mission in Syria, it added.

A Pentagon official said local partners remain in the field in Syria and are an effective force against ISIS.

The US will continue to empower those partners in performing most of their remaining counter-terrorism duties, including guarding ISIS detainees, he went on to say.

ISIS is seeking to exploit any instability in the area, but the US efforts to deter its resurgence cannot be underestimated. The coalition remains committed to achieving the permanent defeat of ISIS in Syria and Iraq, he vowed.

Member of the security and defense committee Yasser Iskander Watout said on Sunday that Iraq needs major logistic and aerial support since the means at its disposal were not enough to control borders with neighbors.

The continued deployment of the international coalition forces is “necessary and realistic”, he said.

The Interior Ministry and border and security forces have secured the border with Syria, but members of the committee said the need remains for aerial support to bolster stability in the area, he revealed.

Watout agreed with Abbasi on the need for the international forces to remain given that it boasts air forces that have effectively secured Iraq’s skies.

He noted that recent government contracts for the purchase of 14 modern jets “were not enough to cover all our needs.”

The coalition currently has 2,500 forces deployed in Iraq to counter ISIS and offer Iraqi forces logistic support.

Pro-Iran factions that have long been opposed to the international troops have not commented on the recent statements on their continued deployment given the Israeli threats against Tehran and US President Donald Trump’s urging of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against carrying out attacks against the factions themselves.