UN’s Yemen Envoy Condemns Houthi Attack on Taiz

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, during a previous visit to Sanaa, June 2022 (EPA)
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, during a previous visit to Sanaa, June 2022 (EPA)
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UN’s Yemen Envoy Condemns Houthi Attack on Taiz

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, during a previous visit to Sanaa, June 2022 (EPA)
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, during a previous visit to Sanaa, June 2022 (EPA)

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has condemned the Houthi attack on Taiz in southwest Yemen.

Grundberg said in a statement: "I condemn the attack that was launched from areas controlled by Ansar Allah on Sunday night in Dabab area in Taiz that left a number of soldiers killed or wounded and threatens to seriously worsen the humanitarian situation for civilians."

The envoy called on the parties to seize the opportunity provided by the truce extension to demonstrate total commitment to ending the prolonged conflict in Yemen and the suffering of its people.

He also urged the parties to engage with his office to continue discussions to meet their obligations under the truce.

"My efforts will continue to work with the parties to navigate the path toward reaching a comprehensive political and peaceful settlement of the conflict," reiterated Grundberg.

Meanwhile, the US envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, stressed the need to coordinate work with the Gulf countries to advance a path toward a political solution to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

During a reception hosted by the National Council on US-Arab Relations (NCUSAR) to welcome the new Kuwaiti ambassador to the United States, Jassem al-Budaiwi, Lenderking said he believed a peace agreement in Yemen could soon be achieved.

The envoy lauded the efforts and contributions made by the Gulf states to improve the humanitarian situation in Yemen and alleviate a severe crisis.

Lenderking shed light on the role of Kuwait as "a peacemaker and bridge builder."

US Department of Defense Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs Ilan Goldenberg affirmed Washington's strong defense commitment in the region.

The US "stands firmly committed to the defense of Kuwait, something that has been the keystone of our relationship," he asserted.

Goldenberg continued, "the defense partnership is one of the most important security relationships the US has, and we will always value that partnership."

He also expressed Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's "gratitude for several key elements of the strong relationship" with Kuwait.



Lebanese Politician Accuses Israel of Increasing Bombardment to Wring Concessions

This picture taken from a position in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, shows an Israeli flag (L) on a destroyed building, and a Lebanese flag (R) painted on a damaged building in the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on November 25, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
This picture taken from a position in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, shows an Israeli flag (L) on a destroyed building, and a Lebanese flag (R) painted on a damaged building in the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on November 25, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
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Lebanese Politician Accuses Israel of Increasing Bombardment to Wring Concessions

This picture taken from a position in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, shows an Israeli flag (L) on a destroyed building, and a Lebanese flag (R) painted on a damaged building in the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on November 25, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
This picture taken from a position in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, shows an Israeli flag (L) on a destroyed building, and a Lebanese flag (R) painted on a damaged building in the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on November 25, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)

Lebanon’s deputy parliament speaker has accused Israel of ramping up its bombardment of Lebanon in order to pressure the government to make concessions in indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah.

Elias Bou Saab, an ally of the Iran-backed group, said Monday that the pressure has increased because “we are close to the hour that is decisive regarding reaching a ceasefire.”

“We are optimistic, and there is hope, but nothing is guaranteed with a person like (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu),” Bou Saab told reporters.

Israel has carried out heavy strikes in central Beirut in recent days, while Hezbollah has increased its rocket fire into Israel.

The United States is trying to broker an agreement in which Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces would withdraw from southern Lebanon and Lebanese troops would patrol the region, along with a UN peacekeeping force.

Israel has demanded freedom of action to strike Hezbollah if it violates the ceasefire, but Bou Saab said that was not part of the emerging agreement.

He also said Israel had accepted that France be part of the committee overseeing the ceasefire after Lebanese officials insisted. There was no immediate confirmation from the Israeli side.

Israel has objected to France being on the committee in the wake of the International Criminal Court’s decision last week to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defense minister and a Hamas military commander.

France said it supports the court. It said the question of whether it would arrest Netanyahu if he set foot on French soil was a “complex legal issue” that would have to be worked out.