[07/07/2024 04:57]

MUSCAT-SABA
The UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg has renewed call for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militias to immediately and unconditionally release UN employees and relief workers who have been arbitrarily detained in Sanaa and remain held incommunicado.

The UN envoy stated in a statement issued Sunday at the conclusion of the ninth meeting of the Supervisory Committee for the implementation of the prisoner exchange agreement in the Omani capital Muscat that the negotiations have resulted in an important breakthrough, as the parties have reached an understanding on the release of the politician who has been forcibly disappeared for nine years Mohammad Qahtan, a matter has been a source of contention for years.

In this regard, Grundberg called for continuing to work with his office to complete the implementation plan for the understanding they reached, including the names of the detainees who will be released, and agreeing on further release operations.

He said, "Thousands of Yemenis await to be reunited with their loved ones, and despite the positive progress, there is still much to be done, at a faster pace, to alleviate the suffering of these families."

"The United Nations remains committed to this important work of reuniting Yemeni families with their detained relatives as a result of the conflict, and as we continue this mission, we must also condemn the arbitrary detention of all civilians and express our condolences for the suffering of their families and loved ones, and their immediate and unconditional release is the only acceptable option," he added.

The UN envoy thanked the Sultanate of Oman for hosting the meeting, praising its continued support for the UN mediation efforts in Yemen.

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