The UN envoy warns: Yemen is going through a turning point

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The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, warned on Friday of the danger of the stage the country is going through, stressing that the Houthi group's threats to international shipping reflect negatively on global markets, in light of the escalation of military operations and the expansion of the scope of confrontations.

Grundberg said that Yemen is going through a pivotal stage, stressing the need to respect United Nations resolutions related to the country, amid fears of the repercussions of continued escalation on regional security and international trade.

The UN envoy's statements come as several Yemeni governorates are witnessing intense confrontations and air strikes, coinciding with escalating tension in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the most important sea lanes for global trade.

In a related context, the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations called for the release of the United Nations employees detained by the Houthi group in Yemen, in light of continuing concerns about their safety.

The Office of the UN Envoy announced, on Wednesday, October 7, that Grundberg had concluded a visit to Washington, DC, during which he held discussions with senior officials in the US State Department, the National Security Council, and the Pentagon, in addition to American and Yemeni experts.

According to the UN statement, the discussions dealt with the latest developments in Yemen and their security implications for the region.

During the meetings, Grundberg stressed the importance of continued regional and international commitment to the political track, as it is the way to reach a comprehensive solution to the conflict and achieve stability in Yemen and neighboring countries.

Washington's visit was preceded by diplomatic movements that included the Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia, where the UN envoy met with representatives of the Houthis and regional officials, in an attempt to stop the escalation and return the parties to the negotiating table.

According to the Associated Press, these meetings focused on containing the escalating confrontations, especially after the military developments on the western coast of Yemen, and the increasing concerns about the safety of navigation in the Red Sea.

Grundberg's warnings gain special importance with the escalation of confrontations near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and represents a main passage for ships heading to and from the Suez Canal.

The UN envoy had warned, in a briefing before the Security Council on September 10, that the risk of Yemen returning to a large-scale war was no longer just a possibility, after the escalating confrontations had turned into a reality on the ground.

He then pointed to a large-scale attack launched by the Houthis on the western coast, which included the city of Mokha, located about 75 kilometers from the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

He explained that military developments near the strait threaten one of the most important sea lanes for trade movement and global energy supplies.

These developments coincided with escalating pressures on maritime shipping traffic in the region, in light of the continuing tensions related to the war with Iran and the disruption of the movement of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

The combination of the threat to navigation in the Red Sea and the disruption of shipping traffic in the Gulf increases the risks facing international supply chains, especially with the high costs of transportation and insurance.

On the ground, recent days have witnessed a major escalation in Yemen, with the intensification of military operations carried out by government forces against Houthi positions.

Some of the confrontations focused on the western coast and areas near Bab al-Mandab, while operations extended to other fronts, including Taiz. The recent confrontations witnessed extensive military operations to regain strategic areas near the strait.

Grundberg had warned, in a previous briefing to the Security Council in August, that the renewal of the all-out war would come at a time when Yemeni state institutions suffer from deep divisions, while the economy faces increasing difficulties after long years of conflict.