“Intensified Yemen Peace Process Urged at UN Security Council”

The UN Security Council has been urged to increase efforts to achieve a more durable and sustainable truce in Yemen that can help bring an end to the conflict and alleviate the humanitarian suffering in the country. The UN’s special envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, told the council that an existing truce agreed a year ago has proven beneficial to the overall stability of the country and has helped its economy achieve some measure of recovery. However, it remains fragile, he added, and the sporadic violence that continues to erupt in various provinces adds to instability. Under the truce, both sides agreed to halt military activity and allow commercial flights to and from Sanaa airport to resume. They also agreed to allow ships carrying fuel to dock at Hodeidah Port, and to reopen the major roads connecting the nation’s provinces. The envoy praised Saudi and Omani authorities for their backing of initiatives designed to bring stability to Yemen and end the conflict.