“Grundberg” Concludes Muscat Consultations, Demands Immediate Houthi Release of 73 UN Staff

Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:

The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, concluded a visit to the Sultanate of Oman on Wednesday, which included meetings with high-ranking Omani officials and the Houthi group’s chief negotiator. The visit was part of efforts to advance the peace process amidst regional shifts.

According to a press release, Grundberg praised Oman’s pivotal role in supporting dialogue, emphasizing the importance of regional support for UN mediation.

The Envoy discussed ways to enhance progress in mediation with Mohammed Abdulsalam, the Houthi chief negotiator. He also reviewed the latest developments in the ongoing negotiations in Amman regarding the release of conflict-related detainees, stressing the necessity of achieving a breakthrough to alleviate the suffering of hundreds of Yemeni families.

In a separate matter, Grundberg, accompanied by UN official Muin Shrim—who is tasked with the detainees file—addressed the issue of the Houthis’ continued “arbitrary” detention of 73 UN employees. He affirmed that this case is a top priority for the organization and called for their “immediate and unconditional” release.

This comes a day after the UN Envoy announced the conclusion of a bilateral meeting in the Jordanian capital, Amman, which included a Saudi military committee and representatives of the Iranian-backed Houthi group.

The meeting, held last Sunday and Monday, was attended by the UN Envoy, his military and security advisory staff, and Saudi leaders led by the Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy; representatives of the Yemeni government were absent.

The Office of the UN Envoy stated that the meeting took place “within the framework of the Military Coordination Committee, and based on previous meetings with committee representatives from the Yemeni government and the Joint Forces Command.”

Regarding the meeting’s agenda, the Envoy’s office said the two delegations discussed “the current situation in Yemen and the region, and explored ways to enhance security for Yemenis through de-escalation and continued dialogue.”