New york: UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg expressed hope on Tuesday that the recent US-Iran agreement would serve as a pivotal moment for the region, potentially accelerating peace efforts in Yemen.
According to Anadolu Agency, Grundberg addressed the UN Security Council, aligning with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' positive reception of the deal. Grundberg highlighted the impact of regional tensions on the Yemeni peace process, emphasizing that these tensions have deepened mistrust and hindered compromise among involved parties. He called for leveraging this agreement to make progress in Yemen.
Grundberg noted that, from a military standpoint, Yemen has experienced limited effects from the regional conflict, despite fears of potential spillover. He pointed out the absence of renewed attacks on Red Sea commercial shipping and the continuation of calm within Yemen since the 2022 truce.
However, Grundberg warned that the conflict remains unresolved, and Yemenis continue to suffer from prolonged uncertainty. He expressed concern over the economic impact of regional instability on Yemen, citing increased costs of imported essentials due to the country's reliance on imports and proximity to geopolitical tensions, which exacerbates inflationary pressures.
On the security front, Grundberg mentioned that his office recently facilitated meetings under the Military Coordination Committee framework. These meetings included military representatives from the Saudi-led Joint Forces Command, Ansar Allah (Houthis), and the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The discussions aimed to exchange views on security priorities and explore practical ways to de-escalate tensions and improve communication.
Grundberg urged the involved parties to engage in face-to-face political talks, emphasizing the need for compromises and good-faith engagement. He stressed the importance of utilizing the current diplomatic opportunities to advance a political process that could sustainably resolve the conflict.
In a related update, UN relief chief Tom Fletcher informed the Council that Yemen's humanitarian crisis is worsening. He highlighted severe funding shortages and rising hunger, with food insecurity sharply increasing and affecting over half the population. Fletcher called for urgent international support, noting that the humanitarian appeal remains significantly underfunded. He emphasized that without increased assistance and efforts to advance peace, the crisis will intensify.
Fletcher also appealed for the release of detained aid workers and stressed that humanitarian assistance alone cannot resolve the crisis, underscoring the necessity of renewed peace efforts.