Aden (Debriefer) - Officials in the Yemeni internationally-recognized government on Thursday criticized the UN and its Yemen envoy, Martin Griffiths, over calls on the US to reverse move blacklisting the Houthis as a terrorist group for humanitarian reasons.
Yemeni activists launched a social media campaign accusing Griffiths of backing terrorism.
Earlier on Thursday, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called on Washington to quit its terror-designation of the Houthis, expressing concerns that the decision would have complications on the Yemeni people.
For his part, Griffiths said he is "extremely concerned about the impact" of the US decision. "We fear in my mission that there will be inevitably a chilling effect on my efforts to bring the parties together. We all hope to have absolute clarity on far-reaching exemptions to be able to carry out our duties."
But advisor to the Yemeni President tweeted that "Yemenis don't expect the UN to continue assistances and be concerned about the humanitarian situation or hindered access to aid, following Houthi designation as a terrorist organization.
"What the Yemeni people waits is an end to war by application of the UN resolutions and pressures on the Houthis, who ignited the war and are responsible for its continuation," Abdul Malik al-Mikhlafi added.
"UN similar calls led to the halt of the legitimate military operation to liberate Hodeida late in 2018," he recalled. "Since then, peace hasn't improved, war hasn't stopped and Houthis have neither quitted terrorism nor allowed assistances inflow.
