The sustained offensive on Marib has already resulted in ripple effects across Yemen and continues to undermine the prospects of a negotiated settlement to the conflict, warned the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg.
"There is no sustainable military solution to the conflict in Yemen. All warring parties need to de-escalate violence and prioritize the interests of civilians over scoring military wins."
He stressed that partial solutions would not lead to a sustainable solution to the conflict, saying that his consultations in various regions and countries aim to crystallize constructive ideas for the peace process.
According to a statement distributed by his office, Grundberg discussed with Egyptian and Yemeni officials in Cairo the ongoing attack on Marib, warning of partial solutions that are not sustainable.
"Piecemeal approaches will not result in a sustainable solution. There needs to be equal focus on immediate priorities that mitigate the impact of the war on civilians and on the longer-term questions needed to reach a durable and just solution to the conflict."
During his visit to Cairo, the Special Envoy met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
The meetings discussed the importance of a stable Yemen for the region and the shared responsibility of regional countries to prevent further escalation in Yemen and help Yemenis reach a negotiated political solution.
They also discussed the region's role in supporting UN efforts in this regard.
Later, the UN official met with a diverse group of Yemeni women and men, including parliamentarians, representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, and media professionals.
Participants stressed the need to de-escalate violence and highlighted the impact of the deteriorating economy on the lives of civilians.
Grundberg consulted Yemeni interlocutors on ways to start an inclusive political dialogue that includes the parties' demands in a broader Yemeni agenda of political, economic, and security priorities.
Official Yemeni sources quoted the UN envoy as saying that he will work under the relevant Security Council resolutions to achieve a just peace that the Yemeni people deserve.
Yemeni Speaker Sultan al-Barakani also met with the UN envoy to discuss latest developments.
The meeting addressed efforts to end the war and ways to achieve a comprehensive and just peace in light of the Houthi militia's continued intransigence and rejection of all initiatives to alleviate the human suffering witnessed in Yemen.
He renewed the legitimacy's desire to bring peace and security to Yemen and reach a political settlement based on the three references.
Barakani stated that the Houthi militias undermine all peace efforts, indicating that they do not want to accept the peace options.
The Speaker stressed the importance of the role of the UN and its envoy to Yemen to take practical and severe steps to end the Houthi coup and implement effective mechanisms to reach a comprehensive and just solution.
He reiterated the need for the international community to pressure the Houthi group to submit to the peace process, adding that Houthis did not implement the Stockholm Agreement and took it as an opportunity to bring in Iranian weapons and continue destabilize security and stability.
