UN envoy meets Houthi leaders in Oman to revive Yemen peace talks
On Thursday, the UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, held discussions with Houthi rebel officeholders in Oman regarding the conditions to stabilise the crisis in Yemen. The Houthis are part of Iran’s “axis of resistance” against Israel and the US. Following the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, they have consistently targeted Israel with missiles and drones, claiming it is an act of solidarity with the Palestinians.
They have also attacked vessels they blame for having connections to Israel in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, triggering a US-led bombing campaign to secure the vital shipping routes.
In a statement uploaded to X, Grundberg’s office stated he “met today in #Muscat with senior Omani officials, members of Ansar Allah (Houthi) leadership and representatives of the diplomatic community”.
The discussions “focused on the need to resolve the situation in #Yemen, ensuring that all Yemenis can live with dignity and prosperity while addressing the legitimate situations of all stakeholders, including regional and international parties, ” it stated. Grundberg “emphasised his dedication to pursuing this aim as a portion of his actions for endurable peace in Yemen. ” Since March 15, the United States, a key ally of Israel, has intensified its assaults on the Houthis, conducting near-daily air strikes against rebel positions in Yemen.
The UN envoy’s discussions in Muscat come two days before a third round of indirect discussions, facilitated by Oman, involving senior officials from Tehran and the United States regarding the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme.
Grundberg’s office added that he also pressed UN directives for the prompt and unconditional liberation of detained UN, NGO, civil society and diplomatic personnel in Yemen. The Houthis last June arrested 13 UN staff, including six members of the Human Rights Office staff and over 50 members of NGO staff, as well as an embassy staff member.
They asserted they had apprehended “an American-Israeli spy network” which was working in the guise of humanitarian groups — charges strenuously denied by the UN Human Rights Office.
