The United Nations envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has warned of the dangers of military escalation in the Red Sea and said that tension had begun to slow down peace efforts in Yemen.
“Mediation efforts in Yemen cannot be neatly cordoned off. What happens regionally impacts Yemen, and what happens in Yemen can impact the region,” Grundberg said Wednesday at a Security Council briefing on Yemen.
He expressed his gratitude for the roles of Saudi Arabia and Oman in supporting the UN mediation.
"Rising regional tensions linked to the war in Gaza, and in particular the military escalation in the Red Sea, are slowing down the pace of the peace efforts in Yemen," he said.
The UN envoy urged Yemeni parties to “stop public provocations and refrain from military opportunism inside Yemen at this delicate juncture. Escalation in Yemen is a choice.”
“The parties need to refocus on safeguarding the progress made thus far toward reaching an agreement.”
Meanwhile, UK’s Ambassador Barbara Woodward told the Council that “there is no military solution to this conflict.”
“We are cautiously encouraged to hear the support of parties for peace,” said the diplomat.
Woodward warned of Houthis’ “destabilizing attacks in the Red Sea,” saying they disrupt maritime shipping and freedom of navigation in the region and risk further regional escalation.
Commenting on the US-British strikes on Houthi sites, the British Ambassador said the navies attacked targets linked to the Houthis in the Red Sea, asserting the two nations' commitment to the peace process in Yemen.
She recalled that the UK has committed over $110 million in humanitarian aid during this financial year.
- Visit to Taiz
Yemen’s political parties and the public did not receive the UN Envoy's second visit to Taiz well, coming from Aden, the temporary capital.
The visit was part of a regional tour to various countries ahead of his briefing to the Security Council.
Grundberg reiterated his concern about the Houthi escalation in the Red Sea during his meeting with Taiz’s local authorities, stressing that this escalation affects the besieged governorate and the efforts to achieve peace and establish a road map.
The Envoy is seeking to revive the security efforts amid fears that the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea will affect navigation.
He called for continued work to ensure no return to military action, focus on reducing the escalation in the Red Sea, overcome all challenges to reach a road map that includes engaging in a political process, and prepare for a comprehensive peace that the Yemenis seek.
- Closed roads
Taiz local authorities announced that Governor Nabil Shamsan discussed the local situation and efforts to achieve peace with Grundberg, where he focused on the importance of opening roads to alleviate human suffering.
The recent developments in the Red Sea led to a price hike of goods and foodstuff, increased transport costs resulting from the blockade, the continuation of the attacks, and the ongoing escalation on the fronts.
Shamsan also called for accommodating the humanitarian and development needs of the governorate.
A Yemeni government source believed the UN envoy was trying to revive his efforts before the expected renewal of his mandate, which did not achieve any progress in the peace efforts, aside from a fragile ceasefire.
- New developments
The source, who preferred not to be named, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Grundberg sought to deliver a warning to the Houthi group to suggest a change in the international position on the Yemeni crisis and the proposed solutions.
Yemeni writer and researcher Mustafa al-Jabzi said Grundberg’s visit to Taiz reflects a desire to show that he is concerned more about issues that matter to the public.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the researcher noted that Houthi interventions in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden stopped all the Envoy’s efforts, saying his latest moves were an attempt at salvaging what could be saved.
Yemeni writer Bassem Mansour criticized Grundberg's visit to Taiz, saying it does not achieve any progress, describing it as a mere opportunity to restore his role and endeavors.
