FrancescoVisintainer

@UN Official. Political junkie. Restless. Travel addict. Law, diplomacy et al.

[@OSE_Yemen @OSE_Yemen]

لا يزال اليمن من بين أكثر خمسة بلدان في العالم تأثراً بالألغام الأرضية ومخلّفات الحرب المتفجرة.

في تقرير حديث، سلطت المفوضية السامية للأمم المتحدة لحقوق الإنسان الضوء على الآثار السلبية للألغام المضادة للأفراد على حقوق الإنسان عالمياً، بما في ذلك في #اليمن. ويدعو التقرير إلى اتخاذ تدابير لمنع هذه الأضرار ومعالجتها، بما في ذلك الامتناع عن استخدام ونقل الألغام المضادة للأفراد، وحماية المدنيين، وضمان حقوق الناجين والأفراد والمجتمعات المتضررة.

@OHCHR_MENA
🔗 للاطلاع على التقرير الكامل، يُرجى زيارة الرابط التالي:
https://t.co/BJuUjd6361

[António Guterres @antonioguterres]

I strongly condemn the arbitrary detention of a further 10 @UN colleagues by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen.

I call for the immediate & unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained personnel.

I stand in solidarity with affected families & communities in Yemen.

[António Guterres @antonioguterres]

It breaks my heart to see the ongoing scale of human suffering in Gaza.

While famine has been pushed back, needs are growing faster than aid can get in.

We need more crossings, lifting of restrictions on critical items, removal of red tape, safe routes inside Gaza, sustained funding & unimpeded access.

[UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency @Refugees]

It’s official!

@BarhamSalih, former President of Iraq, has been elected as the next High Commissioner for Refugees.

Having been a refugee himself, he brings powerful lived experience to lead UNHCR.

We’re excited to welcome him soon. 💙

[@OSE_Yemen @OSE_Yemen]

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the arbitrary detention of additional UN personnel by the Houthis

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the arbitrary detention on 18 December of a further 10 United Nations personnel by the Houthi de facto authorities, bringing the total number of UN detained personnel to 69.

These detentions render the delivery of UN humanitarian assistance in Houthi-controlled areas untenable. This directly affects millions of people in need and limits their access to life-saving assistance.

The Secretary-General calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained personnel from the UN, non-governmental and civil society organizations and diplomatic missions, and calls on the Houthis to rescind the referral of UN personnel for prosecution. He further calls for the respect of international law, including the privileges and immunities of the UN and its personnel, which are essential to enabling humanitarian action in a secure and principled environment.

The Secretary-General and the United Nations will continue sustained efforts with Member States and the Security Council, as well as through direct engagement with the Houthis, to secure the release of all detained UN colleagues. He stands in solidarity with the affected families and communities in Yemen.

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
New York, 19 December 2025
https://t.co/KRbD364kdB

[EUinYemen @EUinYemen]

Voices of EU Ambassadors share messages for peace in #Yemen. أصوات السفراء من الاتحاد الأوروبي يشاركون رسائل من أجل السلام في اليمن.

@eusimonpa
@corm_kammoun
@France_in_Yemen
@GermanAmbYem
#معًا_من_أجل_السلام #TogetherForPeace #UNSCR1325 #WPS25

[UNMHA—UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement @UN_Hudaydah]

🚢 Safeguarding Lifelines: UNMHA's Work in Hudaydah Ports 🌊

The ports of #Hudaydah remain a vital lifeline for millions across #Yemen — providing food, medicine, and fuel. #UNMHA continues its work to safeguard these lifelines, ensuring the safe and steady flow of essential goods to communities in need.

📖 Read the full article here: https://t.co/1BYVUGyJ18

[@OSE_Yemen @OSE_Yemen]

The UN Special Envoy for #Yemen Hans Grundberg delivered his briefing today to the #UN Security Council.

✍🏽 Key points included:

✅ The Special Envoy noted that “regional turmoil continues to erode prospects for peace and stability in Yemen” and called for “proactive and pragmatic measures” to pave the way for peace. He reaffirmed the three priorities he outlined last month: supporting de-escalation on the frontlines; establishing a path for talks in line with the Roadmap; and continuing regional and international engagement to secure lasting stability.

✅ The Special Envoy expressed concern over a significant assault on the Aleb front in Sa’ada and the fortification of positions around #Hudaydah City, noting these developments highlight the urgent need for active de-escalation. He emphasized the vital role of the UN-facilitated Military Coordination Committee in reducing tensions and preparing for a nationwide ceasefire.

✅ The Special Envoy welcomed ongoing progress on opening roads, including the route between Bayda and Abyan, urging more steps to facilitate movement and commercial activity. He emphasized that further economic escalation and fragmentation is in no one’s interest, commending recent Central Bank and Government measures that stabilized the exchange rate and prices of essential goods.

✅ The Special Envoy noted that in the last month there have been unilateral and escalatory decisions that risk deepening divisions within institutions and state structures. He cited the issuance of new 50 Riyal coins and 200 Riyal notes by Ansar Allah as contributing to the fragmentation of the Yemeni Rial and complicating future discussions to unify the economy. “These are steps in the wrong direction. Instead, I urge dialogue between the parties,” he stressed.

✅ Addressing regional security, he highlighted the seizure of a large cache of weapons off Yemen’s Red Sea coast and urged full compliance with the UN arms embargo. He called for an end to strikes against civilian ships, missile attacks against #Israel, and the subsequent Israeli strikes on Yemen, noting that this escalation has led to the near destruction of Yemen’s west coast port facilities and placed immense strain on vital infrastructure.

✅ Marking International Youth Day, the Special Envoy underlined that youth have been “at the forefront in demanding more from those in power” and must be empowered to build Yemen’s future.

✅ He reiterated the urgent call for the unconditional and immediate release of the 23 UN personnel and others detained from NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions: “This is unacceptable. They need to be released unconditionally and immediately.”

✅ He thanked the Council for its continued support, stressing that “reaching a sustainable solution to the situation in Yemen is not only possible, but essential.”

Full briefing:
https://t.co/qcvddY5Ugs

[UNMHA—UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement @UN_Hudaydah]

🌍 Today, on the International Day for Women in Diplomacy, #UNMHA celebrates the strength, resilience, and leadership of women driving peace forward in #Yemen and around the world. 💪🕊️

✨ Here in Yemen, we salute the women of Yemen, whose courage, perseverance, and contributions to peace and community resilience continue to inspire us all. 💐

In the words of our Officer-in-Charge of UNMHA, Mari Yamashita:
" So many women around the world have been peacemakers, politicians, and activists, contributing to peace. When women participate in decision-making processes that influence their lives, the resulting peace is more durable. It is also their fundamental right to participate."

At UNMHA, we recognize that sustainable peace is only possible when women are meaningfully included at every level of diplomacy and decision-making. 🤝💬

Let’s continue to advocate for equal representation and amplify women’s voices in peace and security!

#WomenInDiplomacy #InternationalDayForWomenInDiplomacy

🔗https://t.co/tE5t1ZNIgI

[UNMHA—UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement @UN_Hudaydah]

🌍 اليوم، في اليوم العالمي للمرأة في العمل الدبلوماسي، تحتفل بعثة الأمم المتحدة لدعم إتفاق الحُديدة (أونمها) بقوة المرأة وصمودها وقيادتها، دافعةً السلام في اليمن والعالم أجمع. 💪🕊️
✨ هنا في اليمن، نُحيي النساء اليمنيات اللواتي لا تزال شجاعتهن ومثابرتهن وإسهاماتهن في السلام وتعزيز صمود المجتمع مصدر إلهام للجميع. 💐

وبحسب قول ماري ياماشيتا، رئيس البعثة بالإنابة:

"لقد كانت العديد من النساء حول العالم صانعات سلام وسياسيات وناشطات، يُساهمن في السلام. عندما تشارك النساء في عمليات صنع القرار التي تؤثر على حياتهن، يكون السلام الناتج أكثر ديمومة. كما أنه هو حقهن الأساسي في المشاركة."

في بعثة الأمم المتحدة لدعم إتفاق الحُديدة (أونمها)، نُدرك أن السلام المستدام لا يتحقق إلا بإشراك المرأة بشكل هادف في جميع مستويات الدبلوماسية وصنع القرار. 🤝💬

دعونا نواصل الدعوة إلى التمثيل المتساوي ونُعلي من شأن صوت المرأة في السلام والأمن!

#المرأة_في_الدبلوماسية #اليوم_العالمي_للمرأة_في_الدبلوماسية

🔗https://t.co/O5N7uze2Sq

[@OSE_Yemen @OSE_Yemen]

The UN Special Envoy for #Yemen Hans Grundberg delivered his briefing today to the #UN Security Council.

✍🏽 Key points included:

✅ The Special Envoy called shameful the continued arbitrary detention of over a year of dozens of personnel from UN, NGO, civil society, and diplomatic missions by Ansar Allah. He called again for their immediate and unconditional release and urged Security Council members to exert pressure for their freedom: “I will continue to demand their release at every opportunity I have. I made this commitment to the mother, the wife and the children of my own detained team member.”

✅ There have been multiple attacks launched by Ansar Allah attacks in #Israel, including Ben Gurion airport and Israeli strikes in response on #Hudaydah and Saleef ports and Sana’a airport: “I reiterate my call for all actors to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.”

✅ Following discussions over the last month with representatives of #Egypt, #Iran, #Oman, #SaudiArabia and the #UnitedArabEmirates, the Envoy noted a regional consensus that only a negotiated settlement can resolve the conflict in Yemen and provide guarantees that the region requires.

✅ He noted that multiple frontlines across Yemen remain fragile, especially in #Marib with reports of troop movement and occasional flareups. He stressed shared responsibility for all actors to resume discussions on a ceasefire.

✅ Reopening of Al-Dhale’a Road is a sign of what’s possible. “I commend again the local facilitators... and encourage the parties to protect this achievement. I hope this will lead to many more openings. Yemen’s economy is in dire need of positive and trust-building steps such as these.”

✅ Briefing on the economic situation, the Envoy called for the parties to move away from a zero-sum mindset towards pragmatism and compromise.

“More can and should be done to alleviate the humanitarian and economic hardships faced by the Yemeni people, including allowing the Government of Yemen to export oil and gas and facilitating the unobstructed flow of goods across the country.

✅ The Envoy called for the protection of civic space by all parties. Over the last month more protests led by women in #Aden, #Taiz, #Lahj and #Abyan were held demanding a more dignified life, including the payment of salaries and accountability. He noted with concern that Ansar Allah continues to suppress civil society voices and conducted a new wave of arrests in Hudaydah targeting journalists and public figures.

✅ This month marks a year since the Government of Yemen and Ansar Allah last met under UN auspices to discuss the release of thousands of conflict-related detainees. “I call on the parties to reprioritise this humanitarian file and move forward based on the agreed upon all-for-all principle.”

✅ He stressed the need to build on the cessation of hostilities in the Red Sea to provide durable guarantees to the region and the international community. This effort goes hand in hand with the work on the Roadmap to secure a comprehensive ceasefire, economic measures, and an inclusive political process. The cost of inaction is high — “Yemen cannot afford more years of division, economic collapse and human suffering.”

https://t.co/AGfE7YW0Se

[UNMHA—UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement @UN_Hudaydah]

#UNMHA recorded 4 landmine & ERW incidents in #Hudaydah in May 2025.

2 men and 1 boy were killed, and 1 boy injured in Hudaydah districts. Casualties & incidents increased from April, highlighting the ongoing and serious.

⚠️ UNMHA urges caution in contaminated areas.

📖 Read more: https://t.co/jPy9AKg8AJ

[UNMHA—UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement @UN_Hudaydah]

سجلت #أونمها 4 حوادث متعلقة بالألغام والمخلفات الحربية في #الحُديدة خلال مايو. قتل رجلان وصبي واحد، وأصيب صبي واحد في مديريات الحُديدة. بارتفاع في عدد الحوادث والضحايا مقارنةً بابريل، ما يبرز تصاعد التهديد.

⚠️ تدعو أونمها إلى توخي الحذر في المناطق المتأثرة.

📖 اقرأ المزيد: https://t.co/SWc3J9jI8C

[António Guterres @antonioguterres]

I am delighted to have met His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

@Pontifex is a messenger of hope & dignity that our world needs more than ever.

We discussed areas of collaboration between the Holy See & the @UN in our efforts to build a peaceful, just & sustainable future.

[UNRWA @UNRWA]

We have lost all contact with our UNRWA colleagues in Gaza, communications have been cut off.

This morning, for the first time in months, we did not receive their morning messages to say, "good morning" and "we are fine/alive".

We anxiously await to hear from our colleagues.

[UNMHA—UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement @UN_Hudaydah]

🔒 خلال المشاورات المغلقة التي عُقدت اليوم في #مجلس_الأمن التابع للأمم المتحدة، إستمع أعضاء المجلس إلى إحاطة حول أنشطة بعثة الأمم المتحدة لدعم إتفاق الحُديدة (#اونمها) خلال العام الماضي، بما في ذلك تعزيز تفاعل البعثة مع الأطراف 🤝 وتسيير الدوريات المنتظمة إلى موانئ الحديدة ⚓ وفي المديريات الجنوبية لمحافظة #الحُديدة.

🇺🇳تواصل بعثة أونمها دعم تنفيذ #إتفاق_الحُديدة والجهود المبذولة للحفاظ على الإستقرار في محافظة الحُديدة.

[UNMHA—UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement @UN_Hudaydah]

🔒 During today’s UN Security Council closed consultations, Council members heard an update on #UNMHA’s activities over the past year, including the Mission’s strengthened engagement with the parties 🤝 and the regular patrols to Hudaydah’s ports ⚓ and across the southern districts of #Hudaydah.

🇺🇳UNMHA continues to support the implementation of the #Hudaydah_Agreement and efforts to maintain stability in Hudaydah governorate.

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

European #Gaza Hospital — where 12 @WHO staff and 284 patients and companions were gathered for a pre-coordinated medical evacuation — was attacked on 13 May causing death and distress.

While none in the evacuation group were harmed, the attack reportedly resulted in six deaths and 40 injuries on the hospital premises.

Despite the high-risk conditions, WHO successfully carried out the medical evacuation yesterday to Italy, Turkey, Romania, Jordan, and the UAE via the Kerem Shalom crossing.

This morning, renewed hostilities near the hospital terrified staff and patients and obstructed access to the facility.

Hospitals must be safeguarded so they can serve their life-saving function.

Hospitals must be protected. They must never be militarized or targeted.

Ceasefire!

[UNMHA—UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement @UN_Hudaydah]

عقدت بعثة الأمم المتحدة لدعم إتفاق الحُديدة (أونمها) اليوم اجتماعاً دورياً مع وفد لجنة تنسيق إعادة الانتشار (RCC) الممثل للسلطات في صنعاء، أكدت فيها البعثة إلتزامها بدعم الحوار وتنفيذ بنود الحُديدة من #إتفاق_ستوكهولم.

وفي وقت لاحق، أجرت رئيس البعثة بالوكالة السيدة ماري ياماشيتا وأعضاء لجنة تنسيق إعادة الانتشار دورية مشتركة إلى 📍 ميناء الحُديدة، ضمن أنشطة المراقبةالمُكلفة بها البعثة.

[UNMHA—UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement @UN_Hudaydah]

Today, #UNMHA held a regular meeting with the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) delegation representing authorities in Sana’a, reaffirming UNMHA’s commitment to supporting dialogue and the implementation of the Hudaydah provisions of the #Stockholm_Agreement.

Subsequently, Officer-in-Charge Mari Yamashita and the RCC members jointly conducted a patrol to 📍 #Hudaydah Port as part of UNMHA’s mandated monitoring activities.