Grundberg stresses the need to de-escalate in the Red Sea to avoid further instability in the region

The UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, stressed the need to de-escalate in the Red Sea, to avoid further instability in the region, as the Houthi militia continues its attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea for about a year.

This came at the end of a two-day visit to Cairo, during which he met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and discussed with them the political, security and economic situation in Yemen, according to a statement from his office in Amman.

The UN envoy expressed his growing concern about the repercussions of the regional escalation on the chances of achieving peace in Yemen, reaffirming that Yemen's stability and peace are essential for the security of the wider region.

Grundberg explained that the escalation in the Red Sea represents a major threat to regional stability and negatively affects vital maritime navigation routes, stressing the need to take urgent measures to de-escalate to avoid further destabilization.

According to the statement, the discussions also addressed the importance of preserving the progress made through the commitments made by the parties to a nationwide ceasefire, economic improvements, and the resumption of a comprehensive political process, in addition to exploring ways for Egypt to support these efforts.

The UN envoy also addressed the issue of arbitrary detentions by the Houthis, which have targeted dozens of UN staff, NGOs, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions. He briefed the interlocutors on the ongoing efforts made by the UN in this regard, stressing the importance of ensuring the safety and protection of all detainees.

In this context, the envoy expressed his deep concern about the recent referrals of some detainees to “criminal prosecutions” and renewed his urgent call for their immediate and unconditional release, noting that such measures undermine confidence and further threaten the peace process.