The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, warned of an impending resurgence of conflict, citing increasing military tensions between Houthi rebels and government forces. Concurrently, humanitarian efforts face setbacks due to funding cuts, critically impacting vulnerable women and girls in Yemen. The necessity for sustained diplomatic engagement and inclusive political processes remains paramount for achieving lasting peace.
On Thursday, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Mr. Hans Grundberg, expressed concerns regarding the potential resurgence of conflict in Yemen, describing a “palpable” fear of returning to all-out war during his briefing to the Security Council. He signified that the current political trajectory is alarming, particularly in light of ongoing hostilities between Houthi rebels and government forces supported by a Saudi-led coalition, a conflict that has persisted for over a decade.
Despite the absence of large-scale operations since the UN-mediated truce in April 2022, military activities persist, placing the cessation of hostilities at increasing risk. Mr. Grundberg noted, “We have seen a rise in rhetoric from the parties to the conflict, pre-positioning themselves publicly for military confrontation.” He underscored the importance of mindful communication, stating, “Mixed messaging and escalatory discourse can have real impacts.”
Moreover, Mr. Grundberg highlighted concerning reports of military actions, including shelling and drone attacks, particularly in regions like Ma’rib, Al Jawf, Shabwa, and Ta’iz. Additionally, he criticized the Houthis for their arbitrary detention of UN personnel, emphasizing the human cost, stating, “Some colleagues’ parents have passed away while they have been in detention, without knowing the fate of their children.”
In the context of humanitarian efforts, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Mr. Tom Fletcher updated the Council on funding cuts impacting UN agencies, describing it as a significant blow to life-saving initiatives. He stated, “It is the pace at which so much vital work has been shut down that adds to the perfect storm that we face,” further indicating that such cuts leave aid workers in disheartening predicaments.
Highlighting gender disparities, Mr. Fletcher pointed to a “deliberate pushback against equality” in Yemen, noting the substantial impact on women and girls. He remarked that Yemen ranked second to last in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index in 2021. The maternal mortality rate in Yemen is also notably the highest in the Middle East, with 1.5 million girls currently out of school.
As funding dwindles, Mr. Fletcher cautioned that “the numbers in my next briefings will be worse,” despite women remaining resilient in their struggle for survival and recovery amidst conflict. He pledged to support them with the limited resources available, emphasizing the challenging landscape faced by humanitarian workers compared to those suffering effects of deprivation.
Furthermore, the recent US classification of Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization complicates the international peace process. Mr. Grundberg stressed the necessity of maintaining “the mediation space for the Yemenis” under UN auspices to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement. He affirmed his office’s determination to foster dialogue among a broad spectrum of Yemenis, concluding that “we owe it to the millions of Yemenis not to waver or falter in our determination on this.”
In conclusion, the current situation in Yemen remains precarious, with a heightened risk of renewed conflict as tensions escalate between opposing forces. Humanitarian conditions are worsening due to funding cuts, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls. Continued international diplomatic efforts are crucial to maintain a conducive environment for peace negotiations to establish long-term stability in Yemen.
Original Source: www.miragenews.com
