Houthis Reject UN Proposal to Reopen Routes to Yemen's Taiz

UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg (C) speaks to his aides upon his arrival at Sanaa Airport, in Sanaa, Yemen, 08 June 2022. (EPA)
UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg (C) speaks to his aides upon his arrival at Sanaa Airport, in Sanaa, Yemen, 08 June 2022. (EPA)
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Houthis Reject UN Proposal to Reopen Routes to Yemen's Taiz

UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg (C) speaks to his aides upon his arrival at Sanaa Airport, in Sanaa, Yemen, 08 June 2022. (EPA)
UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg (C) speaks to his aides upon his arrival at Sanaa Airport, in Sanaa, Yemen, 08 June 2022. (EPA)

The Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen have rejected a proposal by United Nations envoy Hans Grundberg regarding the reopening of routes leading to the besieged Taiz province, revealed a source to Asharq Al-Awsat.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the source said the Houthis have turned down the proposal that was recently made by the envoy, which may have negative repercussions on the ongoing nationwide truce.

Grundberg relayed the Houthi reply to the legitimate government on Thursday, it added on condition of anonymity.

The UN had proposed reopening three roads suggested by the Houthis, one proposed by the government, and another between the governorates of Dhale and Ibb.

Teams from the legitimate government and Houthis had met in the Jordanian capital Amman for two rounds of UN-sponsored negotiations on the reopening of roads in Taiz.

Grundberg had flown to Houthi-held Sanaa to receive their reply to the proposal, which was ultimately met with rejection.

The source said the development “returns us to square one”.

The government team is now working on a reply to the Houthi rejection, he revealed.

A Yemeni official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the rejection “will have consequences”.

He predicted a “strong response” from Grundberg and a blunt statement that clearly names the parties hindering peace.

The government team earlier this week warned that the Houthis would attempt to undermine the truce by failing to implement any of their commitments, the same as they did with the former ceasefire.



Palestine Action Wins Bid to Challenge UK Ban Under Anti-terrorism Laws

A Palestinian flag is seen, outside London's High Court as judges decide whether the co-founder of Palestine Action can challenge the UK government's ban on the group, in London, Britain, July 30, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville
A Palestinian flag is seen, outside London's High Court as judges decide whether the co-founder of Palestine Action can challenge the UK government's ban on the group, in London, Britain, July 30, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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Palestine Action Wins Bid to Challenge UK Ban Under Anti-terrorism Laws

A Palestinian flag is seen, outside London's High Court as judges decide whether the co-founder of Palestine Action can challenge the UK government's ban on the group, in London, Britain, July 30, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville
A Palestinian flag is seen, outside London's High Court as judges decide whether the co-founder of Palestine Action can challenge the UK government's ban on the group, in London, Britain, July 30, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville

The co-founder of a pro-Palestinian campaign group on Wednesday won her bid to bring a legal challenge against the British government's decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws.

Huda Ammori, who helped found Palestine Action in 2020, asked London's High Court to give the go-ahead for a full challenge to the group's proscription, which was made on the grounds it committed or participated in acts of terrorism.

Palestine Action has increasingly targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain, often spraying red paint, blocking entrances or damaging equipment. It accuses Britain's government of complicity in what it says are Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

Earlier this month, the High Court refused Ammori's application to pause the ban and, following an unsuccessful last-ditch appeal, Palestine Action's proscription came into effect just after midnight on July 5, Reuters reported.

Proscription makes it a crime to be a member of the group, carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

Judge Martin Chamberlain granted permission for Ammori to bring a judicial review, saying her case that proscription amounted to a disproportionate interference with her and others' right to freedom of expression was "reasonably arguable".

Dozens of people have been arrested for holding placards purportedly supporting the group since the ban, and Ammori's lawyers say people expressing support for the Palestinian cause have also been subject to increased scrutiny from police.

However, Britain's interior minister Yvette Cooper has said violence and criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest and that Palestine Action's activities – including breaking into a military base and damaging two planes – justify proscription.

Israel has repeatedly denied committing abuses in its war in Gaza, which began after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza on October 7, 2023.