UN special envoy for Yemen condemns Houthi attacks on UAE

UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg speaks during a visit to Taiz, Yemen. (File/AFP)
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Updated 16 February 2022
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UN special envoy for Yemen condemns Houthi attacks on UAE

  • The envoy said ending the war in Yemen is a choice and is possible despite the challenges
  • “A political process under UN auspices is our best way forward,” he said

LONDON: The UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg echoed the Secretary-General's condemnation of recent Houthi attacks on the UAE on Tuesday.

Speaking at a Security Council meeting, Grundberg said that following Houthi attacks on the UAE last month, including a drone attack in Abu Dhabi that killed three people, “it should be obvious to everyone just how high the stakes have become.”

He continued: “The Secretary-General has condemned these attacks and I echo that condemnation.”

He added that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE “indicate how this conflict risks spiralling out of control unless serious efforts are urgently made by the Yemeni parties, the region, and the international community to end this conflict.”

The Yemen envoy added that ending the war in Yemen is a choice and is possible despite the challenges.

“There is a way out of this war, allowing the war to continue is a choice, and so is ending it,” he told the council.

“We all know that ending it will not be easy, but I firmly believe that it is possible,” he added.

He said that dialogue and compromise are required if Yemenis are not to be left suffering until parties to the war are tired of fighting.

“A political process under UN auspices is our best way forward,” he said.

Grundberg said that he is developing a framework that will set out his plan to move towards an inclusive political settlement, including the establishment of a multi-track process.

“Through this process, the warring sides’ interests can be addressed within the context of a broader Yemeni agenda along the three tracks of political, security, and economic matters,” he explained.


Three vessels hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

Updated 55 min 5 sec ago
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Three vessels hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

  • A projectile hit a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, setting it ablaze

DUBAI: Three ‌vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security agencies and sources said on ​Wednesday.

One of the strikes led to a fire onboard a ship and forced most of its crew to evacuate it.  

The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was targeted and damaged approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman, two maritime security sources cited by Reuters have said.

The ⁠fire had been extinguished and that there was no environmental impact, a report by the United ‌Kingdom Maritime ‌Trade Operations (UKMTO) said later, referring ​to ‌the ⁠incident. Necessary crew remained on the vessel.

Earlier, a container ship and a bulk carrier were hit off the coast of the UAE by unknown projectiles, UKMTO also said. 

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery accounting for about 20% of global oil and gas supply, has dropped rapidly since the Iran conflict began on February 28.

The latest incidents increase the number of ships that have been attacked since the conflict began to at least 14.

(with Reuters)