UN Renewed Hudaydah Mission in Yemen for Last Time

(MENAFN) The UN Security Council on Tuesday extended the mandate of the UN Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) in Yemen for the last time, setting the new expiration date for March 31. The resolution, drafted by the UK’s permanent mission, received 13 votes in favor, with Russia and China abstaining.

The UK’s deputy UN envoy, Archie Young, welcomed the adoption, stating, "We look forward to the UN's orderly and sustainable transition of UNMHA's responsibilities and residual functions to the office of the special envoy." He also reiterated condemnation of arbitrary detentions by the Houthis, calling for “the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained.”

Russia’s deputy UN envoy, Anna Evstigneeva, explained that Russia “did not block the adoption of this resolution purely due to the request of representatives of Yemen as the host state, as well as from some of our regional partners.” She emphasized that Security Council efforts should focus on facilitating comprehensive normalization and creating conditions for inclusive inter-Yemeni dialogue.

China’s UN envoy, Fu Cong, highlighted the precarious situation on the ground, describing it as complex and noting “the security conditions on the ground in Hudaydah are tense with a persistent risk of renewed conflict.” He cautioned against a rushed withdrawal of UNMHA, stating, "We believe that when considering the mission's future arrangements, the Council should fully take into account the situation on the ground in Hudaydah, manage the pace properly and avoid a hasty withdrawal that could destabilize the fragile situation and or even trigger new conflict."

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