U.N. Yemen envoy urges protection of mediation space, calls for detainee releases as tensions rise

Hans Grundberg, U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen, told the United Nations Security Council that recent escalatory rhetoric and continuing military activity risk returning Yemen to wide-scale conflict and urged the immediate, unconditional release of people held in arbitrary detention.

“May I begin by wishing all Yemenis and Muslims around the world Ramadan Kareem,” Grundberg said, then added that “this celebration will not be complete for the families of many of our colleagues in arbitrary detention by Ansar,” and called again “for the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees.” He said some families do not even know the fate of detained relatives and that some detained colleagues have missed funerals of parents.

The envoy warned that the humanitarian and economic situation remains dire and described long-term deterioration: he said the conflict has lasted more than 10 years, GDP per capita has “more than halved” since the onset of the war, civil servants in Houthi-controlled areas have not been regularly paid “since 02/2018,” and the Yemeni rial has fallen “by 50% in the last year,” driving up prices and surging poverty.

Why it matters: Grundberg said mixed messaging and escalatory discourse can deepen mistrust and fuel tensions at a time when de-escalation is crucial. He noted that while a resumption of large-scale ground operations has not occurred since the U.N.-mediated truce of April 2022, the council continues to receive reports of shelling, drone attacks, infiltration attempts and mobilization campaigns in areas including Marib, Al Jawf, Shabwa and Taiz.

On political steps, Grundberg said three elements are necessary for a settlement: agreement on a nationwide ceasefire and an implementation mechanism; difficult but necessary concessions on core economic issues; and a political process that “includes a broad spectrum of Yemenis” to allow the conflict to settle. “The elements of the roadmap continue to represent a viable path,” he said.

The envoy also warned that the unfolding U.S. designation of Ansar Allah as a foreign terrorist organization could have ramifications for the peace process. “While the full ramifications of this measure are yet to be determined, I reiterate the importance of protecting our efforts to advance a peaceful settlement in Yemen,” Grundberg said, urging that “the mediation space for Yemenis under the auspices of the United Nations is preserved.”

Grundberg described continuing diplomatic engagement, including recent meetings with senior Government of Yemen officials and regional actors, and said his team is “relentless” in gathering perspectives to support a Yemeni-led, inclusive peace process. He noted the disproportionate impact of the conflict on women, referenced a recent delegation of women and women-led organizations who met his office, and said he looked forward to hearing a statement from Nesma Ali Mansour of the Peace Track Initiative on intersections of climate, conflict and human rights in Yemen.

Concluding his remarks, Grundberg warned that “we are at the point in time where the fear of a return to full conflict is palpable,” and pledged that “my office remains determined to convene the parties at any opportunity to bring an end to this decade long conflict.”

No formal decisions or votes were recorded during this statement; the envoy’s remarks were presented as a status update to the council and a call for continued support of U.N.-facilitated mediation.