First Briefing from Sana’a… What did Grundberg say about the Houthi escalation?
The escalation of the Houthi terrorist militia in Yemen has hit six main fronts and has not caused any change in the lines of engagement, the UN envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg said on Monday.
In his first briefing from Sana’a to the Security Council, the international mediator said he had “productive” discussions with President Rashad al-Alimi, as well as with regional and international partners in Riyadh and Muscat.
He described his discussions with Houthi militias as “positive and constructive,” but stressed that they were with Houthi leader Mehdi al-Machat, who lacks a military and political resolution.
The envoy expressed hope that “he will be able to build on these discussions to ensure that 2023 offers a more peaceful and prosperous future for Yemen’s men and women”
The escalation of Houthi militias in the fronts affected six main fronts, in Marib, Taiz, al-Dhalea, al-Hodeidah and Lahj provinces as well as the Saudi-Yemeni border area, he said.
However, he said the overall military situation in Yemen remained stable as the escalation of Houthi militias did not bring about “changes in the front lines.”
“Military activity coupled with negative rhetoric and escalating political and economic measures create a situation in which even a miscalculation can re-ignite a cycle of violence that is difficult to reverse,” he said.
The non-expansion of fighting is “a positive step for the continuation of the items working under the truce”, he said, praising efforts by Saudi Arabia and Oman to end the years-long conflict in Yemen
Describing the political situation as “complex”, he said it was necessary to resume political activity and establish a ceasefire in Yemen and direct all efforts towards a Yemeni-Yemeni solution under the auspices of the UN.
The UN envoy to Yemen arrived today in the capital Sanaa to meet the leaders of Houthi militias who refuse to accept the extension of the truce and the ceasefire and escalate the military operations on the ground.
Houthi Restrictions on Aid
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths said the UN provides relief assistance to 11 million Yemenis each month and called on the international community to continue to support the people of Yemen in good faith.
Griffiths said 3,300 UN humanitarian teams in Yemen have experienced disruptions to humanitarian access due to restrictions imposed on the delivery of aid by Houthi militias.
He said restrictions in Houthi areas affect aid delivery, and restrictions imposed by militias on Yemeni women affect aid deliveries to those who deserve it.
The security situation in Yemen is “very difficult for humanitarian work”, the UN official said, adding that Yemenis need to end the war and not hold repeated UN briefings.
