Grundberg to the Security Council: The Yemen war fuels regional tensions... and the Houthis' arrests of UN employees threaten peace efforts.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

Arabian Sea - Yemen - Follow-ups: The UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, presented a comprehensive briefing to the UN Security Council on Monday, warning that the Yemeni conflict is no longer just an internal dispute, but has become a multiplier of regional tensions, stressing that stability in Yemen and the Middle East are intertwined and cannot be isolated from each other. Grundberg stressed that the ongoing war in Yemen represents a "regional fault line" whose effects reverberate across borders, adding that the absence of a political solution deepens divisions and threatens to drag the region into further escalation, especially in light of the ongoing war in Gaza and the accompanying dangerous escalation in hostilities between the Houthis and Israel. He pointed out that the Houthis have intensified their drone and missile attacks on Israel, causing injuries and damage to a civilian airport, while Israel responded with raids on Sana'a and other areas in August and September, which led to the killing of civilians and the fall of prominent Houthi leaders, including figures who were in contact with his office. He said, "It is time for this cycle of escalation to stop." The UN envoy devoted a large part of his briefing to warning of the repercussions of the Houthi campaign of arrests against UN employees. He confirmed that more than 40 UN employees are still being held in Sana'a and Hodeidah, including one employee who died in detention, despite the recent release of one detainee. Grundberg described these arrests as a "flagrant and unjustified escalation," noting that the storming of UN headquarters and the seizure of its property represents a blatant violation of international law and undermines the international organization's ability to support peace efforts and provide humanitarian assistance. He expressed his full solidarity with the detainees, calling on the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release them, and also called for the return of the surviving crew members of the Eternity Sea ship to their countries after more than two months since its sinking. Grundberg warned that the relative stability on the front lines in Yemen remains fragile, noting that recent military movements in Marib, Taiz, and Al-Dhalea may reignite a wide-scale war "whose consequences would be devastating for Yemen and the region." He stressed the importance of continuing security dialogue under the umbrella of the Military Coordination Committee, and maintaining channels of communication between the parties, citing the success of opening some main roads last year as evidence of the possibility of building on positive steps to enhance confidence. In the economic file, the envoy welcomed a relative improvement in the exchange rate and a decrease in the cost of living thanks to the efforts of the Yemeni government, noting constructive dialogues he held with the governor of the Central Bank, ministers in the government, and the private sector. However, he stressed that the sustainability of these achievements is conditional on sparing national institutions from politicization and adopting a unified national vision. Grundberg revealed that in recent weeks he held extensive meetings with representatives of the Yemeni government and the Houthis, in addition to active regional countries such as Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, and the UAE, along with other international parties. He explained that the previously agreed roadmap still represents the best framework for progress towards a comprehensive ceasefire, economic reforms, and an inclusive political process. The UN envoy concluded his briefing by emphasizing that "dialogue, no matter how difficult, is the only way to bridge the gap and move forward," warning that unilateral decisions only complicate the conflict and deepen mistrust. Addressing his message to the Yemeni parties, he said: "The United Nations is committed to working with you to de-escalate and reach an inclusive Yemeni-led political settlement that ensures the stability and prosperity of Yemen."