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.



Biden, Macron to Declare 60-Day Ceasefire between Hezbollah, Israel on Tuesday

 Smoke and flame rise after an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP)
Smoke and flame rise after an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP)
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Biden, Macron to Declare 60-Day Ceasefire between Hezbollah, Israel on Tuesday

 Smoke and flame rise after an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP)
Smoke and flame rise after an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP)

US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron will declare on Tuesday morning a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Asharq Al-Awsat learned from widely informed sources on Monday.

Washington has spoken of “cautious optimism” that the US proposal for a ceasefire could be a success. The proposal calls for Hezbollah’s withdrawal from the area between the Blue Line and Litani River in a manner that can be verified. In return Israeli forces will withdraw from the regions they occupied since they carried out their limited invasion of Lebanon.

The discussions the US government had on the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire were positive and are headed in the right direction towards a deal, the White House said on Monday.

"We're close," said White House national security spokesperson John Kirby. "The discussions ... were constructive, and we believe that the trajectory of this is going in a very positive direction. But, yeah, nothing is done until everything is done." 

The relative positivity prevailed in spite of the ongoing wide-scale military operations between Israel and Hezbollah in the South and Israel’s air raids deep in Lebanese territory. Hezbollah has also fired rockets deep in Israel, reaching Tel Aviv.

Analysts have said the intense attacks suggest that both Israel and Hezbollah are trying to maximize their leverage as diplomats conduct what they hope is a final round of ceasefire talks, reported the New York Times on Monday.

The New York Times reported on Friday that the terms included a 60-day truce during which Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters pull back from border areas and the Lebanese Army and a United Nations peacekeeping force increase their presence in a buffer zone.

But officials have also warned that the two sides may not be able to finalize a deal, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced pressure from right-wing allies not to end the military campaign.

Israel’s hard-line national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, said in a social media post on Monday that the proposed deal would be a “historic missed opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah.”

Observers meanwhile told Asharq Al-Awsat that all pending issues related to the US proposal have been resolved from the Lebanese side, while Israel has some lingering reservations.

Israeli officials said Netanyahu’s security Cabinet is set to convene on Tuesday to discuss the ceasefire proposal.

Two officials confirmed the Cabinet meeting is set for Tuesday, but they said it is still not clear whether the decision-making body will vote to approve the deal.

The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were discussing internal deliberations.