Jemen

The Security Council decided … to extend, until 15 July 2022, the mandate of the United Nations Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) established on 16 January 2019 following intra-Yemeni peace consultations held in Stockholm, Sweden.

A peace deal may be close to being clinched, reports say, as Oman seeks direct talks between Houthis and Saudi Arabia.

Clashes between rebels and Yemeni government fighters killed at least 111 in Marib in three days, pro-government sources said, following a renewed offensive by Houthi insurgents.

Fighting between Yemeni loyalists and Houthi rebels seeking to take the strategic northern city of Marib has killed 90 fighters in two days, pro-government military sources said Tuesday. … Control of the oil-rich region would strengthen the Houthis’ bargaining position in peace talks, but the battle has also raised fears of a humanitarian catastrophe, as many Yemenis had fled to the area to escape fighting in other parts of the country.

The U.N. special envoy for Yemen said Tuesday that “time is not on Yemen’s side” and urged Houthi rebels to come to the negotiating table to discuss a cease-fire and political settlement to the more than six-year-old conflict.

Yemen’s warring sides have been unable to overcome their differences, dashing hopes for peace, the UN Special Envoy for the country said on Tuesday in his final briefing to the Security Council in the role. Martin Griffiths, who was appointed in 2018, has been mediating efforts to end five years of fighting between Government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, and the Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has reiterated his country’s support for a ceasefire in Yemen and a return to talks during a visit to Oman where he met a spokesman for the Houthi rebel group.

Zarif’s comments on Wednesday came a day after the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, which has been militarily supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government against the Houthis, called on the rebels to cease hostilities and return to the negotiating table.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have made major gains in the battle for the government’s last northern stronghold, advancing close to the center of Marib city despite heavy casualties, military sources said Sunday.

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen appealed on Thursday for warring parties to implement a nationwide ceasefire and agree a date for peace talks, in line with a plan to end their conflict. Briefing the Security Council, Martin Griffiths highlighted international unity in support of ending six years of fighting between Yemeni Government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and the Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis. 

A spokesman for the Houthi movement says the group carried out drone attacks targeting positions in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, amid diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire in war-torn Yemen.