News - Yemen: The UN envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, briefed the Security Council on Thursday, describing the two-month UN-brokered truce in Yemen as a valuable opportunity that will alleviate the humanitarian suffering of Yemenis and improve regional stability.

He pointed out that the success of the armistice depends on the commitment of the parties to it. "However, it requires commitment from the parties, as well as broad support from the region and the international community, to ensure it becomes a turning point towards peace," Grundberg said.

He added that since the start of the truce, there have been encouraging signs about the possibility of halting the cyclical patterns of escalation.  He cited significant reductions in violence and civilian casualties, as well as no confirmed airstrikes inside Yemen or cross-border attacks emanating from the country. 

Despite the steadfastness of the truce in general, the UN envoy said, there are concerning reports of military operations, particularly around Marib, which must be addressed urgently through the mechanisms established by the truce.

He acknowledged that many Yemenis fear the truce will be exploited to set the stage for a new escalation.  “This fear is understandable, given the lack of trust,” he acknowledged, encouraging the parties to engage seriously and meaningfully in the coordination mechanisms created by his Office to address all aspects of the agreement and underscoring that the easing of movement restrictions is a priority.  

He pointed out that the coming weeks will be a test of the commitment of the parties.

Grundberg stressed that easing the movement of goods and civilians is a priority for the truce: "We have already seen a number of ships enter Hodeidah ports, something that is having a positive impact on the lives of civilians," without referring to the coalition forces' continued detention of fuel ships after the truce entered into effect on the second of April.

Grundenberg added that he was working with partners to ensure that flights to Sana'a airport should resume “as soon as possible.”

Last Friday, Sana'a Airport was supposed to receive the first flights agreed upon under the truce.The UN envoy announced last Tuesday that the airport is still not ready to receive flights, although the airport receives UN flights on a daily basis.

Grundenberg re-characterized the war in Yemen as a “civil” war, ignoring the role of Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the war that has been raging for seven years. 

The envoy thanked what he described as “the government of Yemen and Ansarullah for showing the required leadership and making the necessary compromises to reach this agreement.” 

He also recognized "the crucial roles played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman in supporting the negotiations that got us here." 

"We need to work collectively and intensively in these coming weeks to ensure it does not unravel. I will continue engaging the parties to implement, strengthen and extend the truce," Grundberg said.