Instead of implementing commitments, the United Nations is waiting for "Houthi concessions" to extend the armistice

English - Wednesday 18 May 2022 الساعة 09:33 am
Aden, NewsYemen:

The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, requested, on Tuesday, the support of the Security Council to extend the humanitarian truce, stressing the discussion of this with the various parties.

In a statement to reporters, Grundberg said, after briefing the Security Council, which held closed consultations on Yemen, that he seeks to confront the main challenges and extend the truce in the country, noting that he discussed this issue with various Yemeni parties, including the Houthi militia.

He said, "The truce in Yemen is subject to extension if all parties agree," pointing out "the urgent need for the Houthi group to make concessions to extend the humanitarian truce," while the Houthis have not implemented any of their obligations under the announced agreement.

"I hope we can reach an extension of the truce, but that depends on the discussions we have," he added, appealing to the Security Council to support the extension of the truce in Yemen.

The UN envoy indicated that the armistice reduced hostilities and that he continues to work to start a comprehensive process that includes all parties in order to reach a political settlement.

But he returned to saying that he had received reports of violations of the armistice since the first day, and that his efforts focused on de-escalating this escalation, especially around the city of Ma'rib.

He explained that fuel tankers and shipments continue to flow through the port of Hodeidah, and commercial flights have returned to Sanaa airport, which is a positive sign, but we are still seeking to hold meetings with the parties to open roads around Taiz and the rest of the regions.

Grundberg thanked Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council for their constructive cooperation with UN initiatives.