Grundberg claims truce continues to 'broadly hold' in military terms

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen + Agencies
15 Aug 2022 21:10
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UN Special Envoy for Yemen claims that "no major military operations or changes to frontlines have occurred" amid the current truce despite the Saudi-led coalition's repeated violations.

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, claimed on Monday that the truce in Yemen continues to "broadly hold in military terms."

"Four-and-a-half months in, the truce continues to broadly hold in military terms," Grundberg said.

He claimed that "no major military operations or changes to frontlines have occurred and there have been neither confirmed airstrikes inside Yemen nor cross-border attacks emanating from Yemen."

Grundberg said that "road openings in Taez and other governorates continue to be at the forefront of my efforts... It is regrettable that, despite these efforts, there has not been more progress achieved," failing to hint at the Saudi obstruction of any such attempts.

The Special Envoy for Yemen added that the United Nations continues to see a decline in casualties in Yemen.

Saudi coalition commits 1568 violations in early days of truce

It is noteworthy that despite Grundberg's assurances of no major military operations or changes to frontlines, operations on the ground prove otherwise. Al Mayadeen correspondent in Yemen reported that the first 10 days of the renewed truce in Yemen have witnessed 1568 violations by the Saudi-led coalition from August 3 till August 12.

In the past 4 months of the ongoing truce, from April 2022 to August 2022, 25,576 violations have been committed by the Saudi-led coalition, as reported by our correspondent citing the daily reports of the Sanaa government forces.

Abdulsalam: Last time we accept extension of truce

On August 2, Grundberg said the warring parties agreed on extending the truce for an extra two months per the same conditions with the aim of maintaining negotiations and reaching a comprehensive truce as soon as possible.

The truce in effect in Yemen since last April 2, which was also extended on June 2, stipulates the suspension of military offensives by land, sea, and air in Yemen and across its borders, in addition to facilitating the entry of ships carrying fuel to Al-Hudaydah ports in western Yemen.

The extended truce also stipulates permitting two commercial planes from and to Sanaa International Airport weekly and holding a meeting between both parties concurring on opening roads in Taiz and other governorates to promote freedom of movement within Yemen.

Mohammad Abdulsalam, Sanaa’s head of negotiating delegation, told Al Mayadeen on Thursday that "this is the last time we will accept the extension of the truce as per the current conditions."