Statement by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen

26 Sep 2023

Statement by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, condemned the attack that claimed the lives of two soldiers from Bahrain and injured several others in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He offered his condolences to the Kingdom of Bahrain and his wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured. He also expressed concern over continued military tensions at the Yemeni border and on several frontlines in Yemen over the past months that led to casualties, including civilian loss of life. 


“Any renewal of offensive military escalation risks plunging Yemen back into a cycle of violence and undermines ongoing peace efforts. Continued flare-ups of fighting demonstrate the fragility of the situation in Yemen,” the Special Envoy said, “We have been in touch with all sides to urge them to exercise maximum restraint at this critical time, and to use dialogue to resolve differences and diffuse military tensions.” 


Grundberg warned that “the minimum level of trust required for constructive dialogue is hard-earned, but easily lost,” and emphasized the need for decisive steps towards a sustainable nationwide ceasefire and the resumption of an inclusive political process to end the conflict.