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U.N. envoys press for Yemeni detainee releases and back Syrian transition talks; cholera campaign conducted in Al Hol
Summary
The U.N. special envoy for Yemen sought Iran's support for releasing detained staff and urged immediate de-escalation; the U.N. special envoy for Syria attended Riyadh talks and emphasized an inclusive Syrian-led political transition. Separately, WHO and partners completed an oral cholera vaccination campaign in Al Hol camp.
The United Nations reported progress and concerns across multiple diplomatic tracks in the Middle East on Monday as special envoys engaged regional capitals and humanitarian agencies completed a vaccination campaign in northeast Syria.
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special envoy for Yemen, concluded a visit to Tehran in which he met Iran's foreign minister and senior officials to discuss support for a Yemeni-owned political process under U.N. auspices. U.N. spokespeople said Grundberg expressed "serious concern over the broader regional escalation involving Yemen and its adverse impact on the mediation environment" and underlined the importance of "immediate de‑escalation for the benefit of the Yemeni people." In his meetings, the envoy briefed Iranian officials on efforts to secure the immediate and unconditional release of arbitrarily detained staff from the U.N., nongovernmental organizations, diplomatic missions and civil society, and requested Iran's support toward those release efforts.
Geir O. Pedersen, the U.N. special envoy for Syria, attended meetings in Riyadh over the weekend and "welcomed the strong support expressed for the Syrian people and their commitment to assisting caretaker authorities during this critical phase," the U.N. spokesperson said. Pedersen held constructive talks with Syria's caretaker foreign minister and focused on advancing an inclusive, Syrian-led political transition. The spokesperson said Pedersen reiterated the U.N.'s readiness to assist Syrians in navigating a transition and in starting reconstruction efforts, and that his deputy remains in Damascus to continue consultations.
On the humanitarian front in northeast Syria, the World Health Organization and partners carried out a 10‑day oral cholera vaccination campaign in Al Hol camp between Dec. 28 and Jan. 7, targeting people aged one year and above. The U.N. also reported that hostilities around the Tishrin Dam have contributed to water access problems: the dam had not been functioning for about 35 days and roughly 403,000 people in nearby cities were reported without access to water, according to the briefing. Dujarric said U.N. and partner organizations continue to support the humanitarian response as security and logistics permit.
No new mediation outcomes or releases were announced at the briefing; envoys emphasized continued diplomatic engagement and appeals for support from regional actors.
