United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg urged on Monday all parties in Yemen to show restraint, engage in dialogue, and take practical steps to ease the suffering of the people.
He made his remarks in a statement after concluding a tour of the region that included Oman and Bahrain and in wake of threats by the Iran-backed Houthis to put on trial dozens of UN staff on charges of espionage.
Grundberg’s tour is part of his “ongoing efforts to engage the parties to the conflict and the region to advance a negotiated political settlement in Yemen,” continued the statement.
He “reiterated in all his engagements the demand for an immediate end to the arbitrary detention by the Houthis of UN personnel, underscoring that their detention complicates the UN’s ability to carry out its humanitarian work and hinders efforts to advance peace in Yemen.”
“Grundberg emphasized that the current regional context offers an opportunity for renewed efforts toward de-escalation and dialogue in support of Yemen’s peace process. He urged all parties to show restraint, engage in dialogue, and take practical steps to ease the suffering of Yemenis,” said the statement.
The discussions focused on advancing efforts to end the conflict in Yemen and to create conditions conducive to the resumption of an inclusive political process under UN auspices.
Grundberg held talks during his tour with senior Omani officials, the Houthis' chief negotiator Mohamed Abdel Salam, and Iranian deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi in Muscat. He met on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue with officials from the Yemeni government, including Foreign Minister Shaya Zindani, and Lt. Gen. Sagheer Aziz, Chief of the General Staff of the Yemeni Armed Forces, as well as regional and international partners.
The Houthis had detained UN staff, claiming they were involved in espionage under the guise of humanitarian work.
Abdel Salam acknowledged the detention, accusing some international agencies of carrying out operations that “harm the security” of the Houthis.
Moreover, he alleged that the Houthis have “evidence and documents” that back his claims. At the same time, he added that the Houthis were keen on finding “fair solutions” and that they will work with the UN to ensure that its humanitarian operations continue.
The UN had in previous statements slammed the detention as a violation of international humanitarian law. It demanded the personnel’s immediate and unconditional release, warning that such practices undermine peace efforts.
