Grundberg Updates Security Council on Houthi Mobilizations and Calls for Investigation into Death of UN Staff Member
Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
The UN Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said in his briefing to the Security Council on Thursday that there are military movements and mobilizations by the Houthi group on several fronts in Yemen.
Grundberg added, “The Houthi group is mobilizing military reinforcements in the areas of Abyan, Al Dhale’a, Sa’ada, Shabwa, and Taiz,” adding, “We are in contact with the parties to the conflict to reach solutions to the crisis.”
The UN envoy called for an investigation into the death of a UN staff member detained by the Houthis in Sa’ada Governorate. He said, “We are concerned about the fourth wave of ‘Houthi’ arrests of UN staff members.”
He stressed that the cessation of Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Israel, along with the release of the crew of the Galaxy Leader ship, is a positive development. He continued, “We must seize this opportunity to consolidate further de-escalation.”
He said, “The economic situation is deteriorating significantly, and ending hostilities will pave the way for a political process,” noting that peace in Yemen will support the stability of the region.
He said, “Among the extremely worrying developments is the fourth wave of arbitrary arrests carried out by the group last month, targeting UN staff members.”
He added, “These arrests are not only a violation of basic human rights, but also represent a direct threat to the ability of the United Nations to provide humanitarian assistance to millions in need.”
He believes that the tragic death of one of our detained colleagues in the United Nations is extremely reprehensible. He noted that there is a need for an urgent and transparent investigation, and those responsible must be held accountable.
The envoy renewed his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees from UN staff, NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions.
He pointed to the continuation of Houthi military operations on several fronts, including Abyan, Al Dhale’a, Lahj, Marib, Sa’ada, Shabwa, and Taiz.
He drew attention to the hardships faced by Yemenis, including struggling to provide basic needs and prolonged power outages lasting more than 24 hours. “Without a horizon for peace, prosperity cannot be achieved.”
He added, “As we await further clarity on the US’s anticipated designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, it is important to protect our efforts to advance the peace process.”
Regarding the roadmap, Grundberg said that the elements of the roadmap remain applicable and provide a framework for moving forward, starting with a comprehensive nationwide ceasefire, stressing that ending hostilities is the fundamental condition for creating favorable conditions for serious political dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations.
He stressed the importance of maintaining the necessary space for effective mediation, addressing the economic crisis in Yemen through sustainable dialogue and practical measures to rebuild the country and prevent further suffering.
He concluded, “Yemen is at a critical turning point. The choices made today will determine its future, and a return to large-scale military operations would be a catastrophic mistake for Yemen and would threaten the stability of the entire region.”
The UN envoy concluded his briefing by saying that “The responsibility for creating space for a negotiated solution lies with the Yemeni parties, and regional and international actors.”
