Houthis continue intransigence with impossible conditions after UN appoints new envoy

Ahmed Adel

The terrorist Houthi militia is practicing a policy of intransigence by setting impossible conditions for dialogue with the United Nations after the latter appointed its new envoy to Yemen, Swedish diplomat Hans Grundberg, and its rejection of all peaceful solutions offered by the UN, which confirms the militia’s continuation of its destructive policies aimed at spreading chaos and terrorism in the country.

The head of the Houthi negotiating delegation, Mohammed Abdul Salam, claimed the futility of any talks with Grundberg, who was appointed as UN envoy to Yemen.

The Houthi militia’s rejection of the peace talks reflects its insistence on detonating all international efforts and moves to achieve a peaceful settlement in the country, instead choosing to continue the military path that has reached an intolerable extent on the humanitarian and economic levels.

The Houthis’ refusal to deal with the UN peace efforts that the new envoy is expected to start in the coming days included setting conditions that were the reason for the failure of the last rounds of talks by former envoy Martin Griffiths, as well as the Saudi initiative and the moves of the US envoy.

The Houthis specified the opening of airports and ports without any restrictions or oversight by the UN or the Arab coalition, which means allowing an unlimited flow of Iranian military support to the militia.

The militia uses the humanitarian aspect as a cover for its political requirements, as it demand the opening of Sanaa airport for the unrestricted arrival of Iranian and other planes, while preventing civilian cars from entering Taiz and forcing residents to cross winding mountain roads that are many hours away from the main route that takes only ten minutes.

A UN-led initiative calling for a ceasefire and lifting of naval and air restrictions imposed by the coalition on Houthi-controlled areas has faltered, and the coalition is seeking a simultaneous agreement, while the Houthis insist on lifting the siege first.

The Houthi militia has played down the importance of appointing Grundberg as the new UN envoy to Yemen in the event that the Arab coalition continues its operations in the country.

Abdul Salam wrote in a tweet on Sunday, August 8, “The appointment of a new envoy does not mean anything, unless there is an explicit announcement to stop the aggression and lift the siege.”

He indicated that the militia does not intend to communicate with the new envoy at the current stage, saying, “There is no point in any dialogue before opening airports and ports as a priority, a humanitarian necessity.”

Abdul Salam stressed the need for the countries of the Saudi-led Arab coalition to realize the suffering and destruction caused by their aggression and siege, and to be aware that the continuation of their intransigence will cost them more and more.

Griffiths, the former UN envoy, ended his term by declaring his failure to persuade the Houthis to engage in peace talks that would end years of war and suffering for the population in Yemen.

In his last briefing to the UN Security Council, Griffiths complained that the Houthis often refused to meet with him, whether in Sanaa or the Sultanate of Oman, where the delegation representing the militia in the negotiations resides.

In conjunction with the Houthi rejection and intransigence, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the legitimate government in Yemen welcomed Grundberg’s appointment.

On Saturday, August 7, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan affirmed that Saudi Arabia continues to support efforts to reach a political solution to the Yemeni crisis.

The Saudi foreign minister said that the Kingdom will continue to support all efforts aimed at reaching a political solution to the Yemeni crisis that ends the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people and ensures security, stability and prosperity for Yemen and the region.