UN Envoy Engages in Discussions in Oman Amid Yemen Airstrikes
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Synopsis
On April 25, UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg met with Omani officials and Houthi leaders in Muscat to address the ongoing Yemen crisis. The primary focus was on the release of detained personnel and the stabilization of Yemen amidst continued airstrikes and rising tensions in the region.
Key Takeaways
- UN Envoy Hans Grundberg held talks in Muscat.
- Focus on releasing detained personnel held by Houthis.
- The Houthis launched missiles in solidarity with Palestinians.
- US conducts ongoing airstrikes against Houthi positions.
- International efforts for stability in Yemen face complications.
Aden (Yemen), April 25 (NationPress) The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has convened discussions in Muscat, the capital of Oman, with high-ranking Omani officials, leaders of the Houthi movement, and representatives from the diplomatic sector to address the ongoing situation in Yemen, as stated by the envoy's office.
A primary concern during these discussions was the UN's persistent demands for the immediate and unconditional release of detained UN personnel, NGO workers, civil society activists, and diplomatic staff currently held by the Houthis, according to Xinhua news agency.
"For too long, families and colleagues have endured suffering, and communities are deprived of the individuals who dedicated their service to them," stated Grundberg, highlighting that such detentions "seriously obstruct international efforts to assist the Yemeni populace and jeopardize progress towards peace."
The Houthis are part of Iran's "axis of resistance" against Israel and the United States, and following the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023, they have consistently launched missiles and drones directed at Israel as a demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinians.
Additionally, they have targeted vessels they accuse of having connections to Israel in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, prompting a US-led bombing campaign aimed at securing crucial shipping routes.
In a statement shared on X, the envoy's office reported that he "met today in #Muscat with senior Omani officials, members of Ansar Allah (Houthi) leadership and representatives of the diplomatic community."
The discussions "focused on the critical need to stabilize the situation in #Yemen to enable all Yemenis to live with dignity and prosperity, while addressing the legitimate concerns of all stakeholders including the region and the international community," it further noted.
Meanwhile, US warplanes executed new airstrikes on Thursday targeting several northern provinces under Houthi control, continuing a military initiative that has persisted since mid-March.
These strikes, conducted almost daily on Houthi-held cities such as Sanaa, Hodeidah, and Sadaa, are part of what Washington describes as efforts to limit Houthi military capabilities and prevent their assaults on international navigation.
In retaliation to the US military operations, the Houthis have intensified their attacks against Israel and US aircraft carriers operating in the Red Sea.
The ongoing tensions further complicate international attempts to achieve lasting stability in Yemen, which has been engulfed in a prolonged civil war since 2014.
