PNN – Hans Grundberg, the UN Secretary General’s special envoy for Yemen affairs, announced: The war in Gaza and the escalation of regional tension related to it complicates our efforts in Yemen.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, Hans Grundberg, the UN Secretary General’s special envoy for Yemen affairs, told the 15-member council of the Security Council on Thursday local time: Ansarullah’s attacks on ships in the Red Sea threaten regional stability and maritime security, and in response, America and England continued their military attacks. Once again, I ask all parties to give priority to the resolution of the conflict in Yemen.
He said: In this difficult situation, my main goal is to mediate for a stable and just solution to the conflict in Yemen. Unfortunately, the ongoing war in Gaza and the regional escalation of tensions related to it complicate my efforts.
Grundberg added: I repeat the request of Mrs. Rosmay DiCarlo, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages, and a massive increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Because hundreds of thousands of people are still caught in the indescribable pain and suffering of this war.
He added: This war has spread its destabilizing effects throughout the wider region. These destabilizing effects have also had a negative impact on Yemen. Ansarullah has continued its attacks on ships in the Red Sea, threatening regional stability and international maritime security. In response, America and England continued their military attacks.
The UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Affairs said: I repeat my concern about this upward trend and once again ask the parties to prioritize Yemen and the resolution of the conflict in this country.
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He added: One of the special concerns is Ansarullah’s recent attack on the Greek-flagged oil tanker MV Sounion, which forced the crew to leave and increased the imminent risk of a catastrophic oil spill and environmental disaster on an unprecedented scale. An oil spill on this scale would have dire consequences for both Yemen and the wider region.
Grundberg continued: I take this opportunity to strongly urge Ansarullah to end the dangerous attacks on civilian ships in the Red Sea and beyond.
He stated: Unfortunately, the military situation has not improved compared to the last briefing in the Security Council. We continue to see troubling military activity on the front lines and escalating rhetoric between the warring parties. The current dynamic is a reminder that the threat of a return to full-scale war is ever-present.
This senior UN official said: The economic situation of most Yemeni people is deteriorating. In addition to these challenges, the Yemeni people suffer from natural disasters that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, regardless of their alignment in the conflict. The recent severe flood in Hodeidah and Hajjah provinces is a sad example of this situation.
He added: We expect that priority will be given to the people of Yemen and that positive messages will be followed by specific actions that help reduce tension and promote peace. We will also continue to communicate regularly with military commanders to ensure that any future ceasefire mechanism can operate effectively.
At the same time, the forces of the Yemeni army have emphasized that navigation in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea is free for other ships and they enjoy full security.
The United States and England along with 8 other countries attacked Ansarullah positions in Yemen on January 11, 2024 following the resolution of the United Nations Security Council.
On January 10, 2024, the United Nations Security Council approved resolution No. 2722 proposed by the United States of America and Japan against Ansarullah in Yemen regarding the attacks in the Red Sea without mentioning the main reason for these attacks and Washington’s support for the Israeli regime in the bombing of Gaza.
The US Treasury Department announced on February 16 that the sanctions imposed by the United States of America due to Yemen’s Houthi (Ansarullah) attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea have entered into force today.
On February 17, the US State Department declared this movement a global terrorist group following the implementation of a new round of sanctions against Yemen’s Ansarullah by the Ministry of Treasury.
In 2021, the US President Joe Biden’s government removed the name of the Ansarullah movement from Washington’s terrorist list in order to facilitate the peace talks in Yemen.