UN envoy arrives Yemen to quell tensions

The Yemen mediator of the United Nations, UN, Hans Grundberg, on Monday, arrived in Yemen’s capital as part of a bid to subdue heightened tensions in his first visit in almost two years.

The trip comes following intensified Israeli and U.S. strikes on Houthi strongholds in the past two weeks in response to the Iran-backed militants launching missiles and drones towards Israel.

The strikes were said to have disrupted operations at Sanaa International Airport, Hodeidah and Saleef ports, which are the main aid entries.

It was gathered that the Iran-aligned Houthis have controlled most parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, since seizing power during 2014 and early 2015.

They are said to be playing an escalating role in the Middle East in a campaign aimed at supporting Palestinians in the Gaza war.

The UN mediator aims to boost the environment for resolution of the conflict and prepare the ground for concrete actions for advancing the peace process in a series of national and regional meetings in the coming days.

Grundberg, a Swedish diplomat, will also push for the release of UN staff and others currently being held there, Palla said.

Media Talk Africa recalls that the World Health Organization, WHO, Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus travelled to Yemen over Christmas in an effort to help negotiate the release of 16 U.N. staff as well as employees of diplomatic missions and NGO workers.

He survived an Israeli airstrike on Sanaa International Airport on December 26 ahead of his departure.