[08/01/2026 01:25]

RIYADH-SABA
His Excellency President Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) received today, Thursday, the United Nations (UN) Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg.

Mr. Grundberg briefed al-Alimi on the outcomes of his recent contacts and efforts with the international community to revive the peace process according to its references, which have been violated by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militias.

The conversations covered the recent events and developments on the Yemeni national arena, including the t events in the eastern governorates following the unilateral actions of the South Transitional Council (STC), its escalatory measures that posed a direct threat to civil peace, the economic recovery program and the broader peace efforts sponsored by the UN.

The President praised the characterization by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of the recent events in the eastern governorates as unilateral actions with serious repercussions on regional security and for holding the STC fully responsible for them.

"This UN stance has helped clarify the international community's perspective on the background of the new escalation", the President stressed.

President al-Alimi detailed Mr. Grundberg about what had happened, affirming that the state had exhausted all avenues of containment and dialogue before making its sovereign decisions and that the aim was to protect civilians, prevent division, and spare the country from a new internal conflict.

The Chairman of the PLC confirmed the success of the process of taking over the camps in Hadramout and al-Mahra governorates, as well as in the rest of the southern governorates, in a peaceful and orderly manner, coordinated with local authorities and with the full support of the forces of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He asserted that the process of taking control of the camps represented an important turning point in restoring the authority of state institutions and deterring any attempt to militarize political life, reassuring the international community of the gains of this process, which proceeded smoothly to the temporary capital Aden according to a plan coordinated with the leadership of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy.

The President also stressed that the state is continuing to protect civilians, enforce the rule of law, and create the conditions for sustainable peace, expressing his confidence that the UN will be an active partner in turning this moment into a genuine opportunity to achieve the aspirations of the Yemeni people.

The Chairman of the PLC considered that extending the state's influence over all government-held governorates would open a safe and smooth corridor for humanitarian aid, reduce the obstacles hindering the work of relief organizations, create real opportunities to improve living conditions, and facilitate the provision of basic goods and services.

The Chairman of the PLC restated that Council and the government are committed to a comprehensive peace process, based on the agreed-upon references and relevant UN Security Council resolutions."

"We are open-minded to the efforts of the UN envoy in this regard", he said.

The President made it clear that the sovereign measures and decisions recently taken are not a deviation from the path of peace, but rather an important step to protect it from collapse.

He stressed that safeguarding these gains requires a more effective UN role, particularly through the activation of the sanctions regime against those obstructing the political process and deterring any attempt to challenge the government's exclusive authorities.

The President greatly appreciated the UN's role in overseeing the recent negotiations hosted by the Omani capital, Muscat, concerning the detainees' file, which led to an important humanitarian agreement to release about 2,900 detainees and abductees, a step that restored hope to thousands of Yemeni families.

He reiterated that the government is ready to provide all possible facilitation for the release of United Nations and international organization staff held by the Houthi militias.

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