U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States appreciated UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg’s tireless efforts to extend a truce in Yemen.
Grundberg worked with the U.S. and partners including the governments of Saudia Arabia and Oman, he said, according to an Aug. 2 State Department release.
“The United States welcomes today’s announcement by the UN on the extension of the truce in Yemen,” Blinken said in the release. “This truce has brought respite from conflict to millions of Yemenis and saved thousands of lives, providing Yemen the longest period of calm since the war began.”
The U.S. prioritized its engagement on Yemen since the start of the Biden administration, he said in the release. Efforts throughout the State Department, including Special Envoy Tim Lenderking, were appreciated.
Leadership in the Republic of Yemen’s government were commended for their work during the truce to improve their citizens’ lives, the release said. That work included keeping fuel imports moving through Hudaydah port and flights from Sana’s airport, Blinken said.
He urged Yemeni parties to not let the opportunity the truce presents pass, and to engage with Grundberg to build on its best chance for peace, the release reported. Grundberg’s proposed agreement includes steps to expand freedom of movement and salary payments, which Blinken said would deliver tangible benefits for the Yemeni people and clear a path for a lasting resolution to the conflict.
“First and foremost, the Houthis must open major roads to Taiz, Yemen’s third largest city, and alleviate the suffering of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis who have been under siege-like conditions since 2015,” he said, according to the release.
