News - Yemen: : The Southern Hirak component participating in Yemen’s National Dialogue Conference strongly condemned statements made by UN Envoy Hans Grundberg, describing them as a blatant violation of Yemen's sovereignty.

In a statement issued Friday, Hirak rejected the “falsehoods” in Grundberg’s remarks, accusing him of persistent bias in favor of the US-Saudi-Emirati coalition. The group said the envoy falsely claimed that people in Yemen’s southern and eastern provinces were demanding independence and self-determination, stressing that such claims are baseless and do not reflect the will of the population.

Hirak affirmed its legal right to hold the UN envoy accountable before judicial bodies, noting that such remarks are prohibited under UN protocols. It urged Yemeni authorities to take firm measures to protect national sovereignty and prevent external plots aimed at dividing society. The statement also praised the vigilance of Yemen’s security agencies in thwarting destabilization attempts, emphasizing that the Yemeni people remain conscious, responsible, and supportive of state institutions.

The group reiterated its condemnation of US-Israeli escalation against the Palestinian people, voicing support for the operations carried out by the Yemeni Armed Forces in solidarity with Gaza. It further welcomed the speech delivered by Sayyed Abdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi on Thursday, calling on Yemenis to heed his call and join today’s mass rallies in support of Palestine.

Grundberg is increasingly accused in each of his statements of aligning with the positions of the Saudi-led coalition. Analysts say his recent remarks on “self-determination” in Yemen’s occupied provinces echo narratives promoted by external actors aiming to fragment the country.