Grundberg calls on Houthis to de-escalate and immediately release UN staff

The UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, called on the Iran-backed Houthi militia to de-escalate throughout the country and immediately and unconditionally release UN staff.

This came during a meeting with a delegation from the Houthi militia residing in Muscat, according to a statement from his office in Amman, on Wednesday.

Grundberg's office said that he concluded a visit to Muscat, where he held meetings with senior Omani officials. During his meetings, he expressed his appreciation for the Omani role in strengthening the United Nations' efforts to achieve peace and stability in Yemen.

He added that Grundberg also met with the head of the Houthi negotiating delegation, Mohammed Abdul Salam, and stressed to him "the urgent need to de-escalate throughout Yemen. He stressed the importance of putting the interests of Yemenis first and called for a constructive dialogue."

He added that the UN envoy, during all his meetings, reiterated the urgent call of the UN Secretary-General for the immediate and unconditional release of the UN employees detained by the Houthis.

On Friday, the Yemeni army announced that it had foiled an attempt to target the Safer oil facility with drones that it said were launched by the Houthi militia from the neighboring Al-Jawf governorate. This is the latest escalation by the militia in an apparent attempt to thwart the economic de-escalation agreement announced by the UN envoy about a month ago.