UN-US talks on developments in Yemen amid regional military escalation

The UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, discussed with senior US officials the latest developments in Yemen and ways to advance a comprehensive UN-led and Yemeni-owned political process, amid regional military escalation that undermines peace prospects.

The UN envoy's office said in a statement that "Grundberg concluded a two-day visit to Washington on October 17 and 18, during which he met with USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass, and Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the US Vice President Phil Gordon."

The envoy also met with National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, US Special Envoy to Yemen Tim Lenderking, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel P. Shapiro, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Affairs Brian Grimm, according to the statement.

He added that Grundberg stressed during the discussions the need to maintain the progress made by the parties through their commitments to reach a comprehensive ceasefire at the country level, improve living conditions in Yemen, and resume political negotiations.

UN envoy Grundberg discussed with senior US officials ways to advance the political process in Yemen amid regional military escalation, stressing the importance of unifying international support. He also called for the release of those arbitrarily detained by Ansar Allah. For more: https://t.co/Gr5gl4v7Tj

- @OSE_Yemen (@OSE_Yemen) October 19, 2024

The UN envoy stressed the importance of unified and continuous regional and international support to help the parties complete the UN roadmap and build on those commitments.

The statement said, "The arbitrary arrests carried out by the Houthis against dozens of employees of the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions were discussed, and many of them were referred to "criminal prosecutions."

The UN envoy renewed his call for their immediate and unconditional release, and reviewed the ongoing efforts made by the United Nations to achieve this goal, according to the statement.

For his part, US Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass said that he "had a fruitful conversation, at the US State Department headquarters on Thursday, with the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg."

He added, "During the meeting, we stressed the urgent need to ensure the release of UN, embassy and NGO staff detained by the Houthis. We also stressed the need to pressure the Houthi group to stop attacks and prioritize peace in Yemen."

Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass: I had a productive conversation with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg at the State Department on Thursday. We emphasized the urgent need to secure the release of UN, embassy, and NGO personnel… pic.twitter.com/i11T0OPjVp

— US State Department (@USAbilAraby) October 18, 2024