S/PV.9996 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Yemen to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen; and Mr. Thomas Fletcher, Under- Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I now give the floor to Mr. Grundberg. Mr. Grundberg: I have repeatedly emphasized to the Council that stability in Yemen cannot be separated from the wider dynamics of the region. Yemen’s unresolved conflict is like a fault line, sending tremors across its borders and amplifying existing regional rivalries. At the same time, the broader instability in the Middle East continues to return to Yemen, fuelling its divisions and delaying sustainable peace. In other words, Yemen is both a mirror and a magnifier of the region’s volatility. Left unaddressed, its conflict will perpetuate tension far beyond Yemen, and conversely, without addressing the sources of the region’s instability, Yemen’s peace process will remain fragile. Stability in one arena depends on progress in the other. Today, neither can advance in isolation. Against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, we are seeing an alarming and dangerous intensification of hostilities between Ansar Allah and Israel. Ansar Allah has continued to target Israel with numerous drones and missiles, attacks which have reportedly resulted in civilian injuries and affected a civilian airport. Likewise, in August and September we have seen several Israeli strikes in Sana’a and other areas controlled by Ansar Allah, which have reportedly killed numerous civilians. The strikes on 28 August also killed senior Ansar Allah officials, some of whom were interlocutors of my office. This escalatory cycle must end. At the same time, if Yemen is perceived and addressed primarily through the lens of regional concerns, the voices, the needs and the aspirations of the Yemenis themselves become sidelined. The current cycle of violence is dragging Yemen further away from a peace process that would bring a sustainable, long-term peace and economic growth. We need to get the focus back on Yemen and on both its internal challenges and on unlocking its great potential. The latest wave of arbitrary detentions of 22 United Nations staff in Sana’a and Hudaydah is an egregious escalation by Ansar Allah against the United Nations. While one staff member has recently been released, there are now more than 40 United Nations personnel detained, in addition to a colleague who died while in detention. The United Nations and all its staff serve under the principles of impartiality, integrity and respect for human rights and dignity. Their unacceptable arrests, the forced entry into United Nations premises and the seizure of United Nations property, in violation of international law, endanger the very ability of the United Nations to advance peace efforts and deliver humanitarian support to the Yemeni people. I want to thank the Council for its strong statement (SC/16166) condemning these actions. The families of detained personnel of the United Nations, diplomatic missions and civil society are not alone in missing their loved ones. There are currently thousands of Yemenis detained as a result of the conflict. We do not forget them either. I again stress that movement on this painful issue is long overdue. My Office is working closely with the parties to ensure the release of all conflict-related detainees under the all-for-all principle. Turning to the front lines in Yemen, while relative calm and stability continue to hold, recent military activity in areas such as Dali’, Ma’rib and Ta’izz serve as a warning that miscalculations from either party could trigger a return to full-scale conflict. The consequences of war would be devastating for Yemen and the wider region. We must, therefore, continue efforts to de-escalate tension along the front lines and maintain a meaningful security dialogue with all relevant actors. The productive engagement by the Government of Yemen’s military representatives, as well as those from the wider region, under the auspices of the Military Coordination Committee, remains vital for maintaining open lines of communication and confidence-building among the parties. The opening and securing of some of the key roads across the country in the past year demonstrate that cooperation is possible. We must continue to build on these entry points. Over the past month, we have seen how the work of the Government of Yemen has helped to improve the Yemeni economy, with hard won gains in the value of the currency and a commensurate reduction in the cost of living for Yemenis. My Office has recently engaged extensively with the Governor of the Central Bank of Yemen in Aden, ministers in the Government of Yemen and a wide range of private sector representatives. I welcome the depth and constructiveness of the dialogue and the focus on good governance, ensuring that economic stabilization is sustainable. My Office stands ready to continue engagement on these economic issues with both parties. Only through collaboration, by depoliticizing national institutions and by taking a nationwide view, can Yemen’s full economic potential be realized. In recent weeks, I held discussions with many Yemeni interlocutors, including from the Government of Yemen and Ansar Allah, with representatives of regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, as well as with representatives of the broader international community. I emphasized in all my meetings that the best way forward is to engage on the commitments made towards a road map, making sure that they are anchored in Yemeni ownership and responsive to current challenges and broader regional security needs. The need for a nationwide ceasefire, countrywide economic reforms and an inclusive political process remains as valid as ever. My work on this continues, despite all the challenges I have enumerated, undeterred. We achieve most when we work together. Unilateral decisions rarely bring solutions. They harden positions, deepen mistrust and prolong conflict. In moments of heightened tension, keeping channels of communication open is not a sign of weakness, but of leadership and responsibility. Dialogue, however difficult, is the only viable path to bridge divides and to move forward. My message to all Yemeni leaders is that the United Nations remains committed to working with you towards de-escalation, dialogue and a long-term and Yemeni-led inclusive political settlement. This is how we can ensure stability and prosperity for Yemen. It is possible, but it requires a conscious step back from where we are now. I want to thank the members of the Council once again for their united and steadfast support for this goal, and for

I thank Mr. Grunberg for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher: The events of the last two weeks, as described by the Special Envoy, will understandably dominate discussions today on how the United Nations operates and how we engage with parties to a conflict, in Yemen and beyond. I reiterate my full support for the Special Envoy’s strenuous efforts to find a political track in and amid a complex regional picture. I will address some of those implications but, first, I would like to focus on the ever-growing humanitarian crisis plaguing the people of Yemen. Rising food prices, security threats to our work, a collapsing economy and persistent conflict have made Yemen the third most food-insecure country on Earth. Before February next year, 1 million more people are expected to be forced into extreme hunger, joining the 17 million Yemenis who have too little to eat. This includes more than 40,000 people in the catastrophic phase of food insecurity. Seventy per cent of households in Yemen do not have enough food to meet their daily needs. This is the highest rate ever recorded. Nearly half of the population in the country are now suffering severe food deprivation — a jump from 36 per cent only a year ago. One in three families is experiencing moderate to severe hunger. In one out of five households, someone goes a full day and night without any food at all. I have raised this alarm here before, but this reporting confirms our and Council members’ worst fears. However, there is a more positive side to this. Despite the lack of funding and a tough operating environment, humanitarians — with immense courage — have been responding to those in greatest need. In Hajjah, humanitarian organizations strengthened their responses to roll back rising acute food insecurity after children died from starvation in the internally displaced persons camps. Partners scaled up vital life-saving cash support, in-kind food distribution and hygiene kits. They restored clean water supplies, established health points to deliver essential health and nutrition support. Out of 98,000 people in urgent need of aid, 76,000 received additional support by early September, with more on the way. In Amran, support from the Yemen Humanitarian Fund allowed local partners to provide health and nutrition services to 15,000 people in critical need, including at the rural hospital in Miswar. In Ma’rib, UNICEF and the World Health Organization, with support from the Yemen Humanitarian Fund, are providing nutrition services through four hospitals, treating hundreds of severely malnourished children, pregnant women and new mothers. Humanitarian partners have also helped more than 172,000 people affected by heavy rains and flooding, including with non-food items, shelter, hygiene kits and clean water. I pay tribute to their dedication in such difficult circumstances, and I am grateful for the support that we receive. But, while we are making some progress, it is not enough. An increasingly difficult operating environment is preventing us from reaching those in need or saving enough lives. Funding cuts are also costing lives. For example, and in addition to the food insecurity crisis, 2 million women and girls have already lost access to reproductive health services, in a reality where a woman already dies every two hours, during pregnancy. I remain gravely concerned by the continued hostilities between the parties, which have resulted in scores of casualties and damaged critical infrastructure. Air strikes against Sana’a and Jawf, since the most recent Council briefing (see S/PV.9978), are reported to have resulted in more than 300 casualties. International humanitarian law must be respected. Civilians and civilian objects must be protected. It is outrageous — at a time when humanitarians are trying to serve the Yemeni people, while beset by funding cuts — that our operational capacity is being further and needlessly jeopardized. Detaining United Nations and humanitarian staff does not help the people of Yemen. It does not feed the hungry, heal the sick nor protect those displaced by floods or fighting. United Nations and humanitarian personnel must be protected to do their jobs and save lives. The people of Yemen, wherever they may live, must receive the humanitarian aid that they need. They deserve a future of greater security, justice and opportunity. In closing, I would like to make three simple calls for action. First, all colleagues who are arbitrarily detained must be immediately released. If Council members have any influence, they must use it. Secondly, United Nations compounds occupied by security forces must be returned to ensure that humanitarian partners can do their work. Thirdly, regarding funding for our response to food insecurity and malnutrition, we must not allow mass hunger to define the future of Yemen.

I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I thank Special Envoy Grundberg and Under- Secretary-General Fletcher for briefing us today, and I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen in our meeting. I will make three points. First, the United Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms the detention of at least 22 United Nations personnel by the Houthis, as well as the forced entry into the premises of the World Food Programme and UNICEF and the seizure of United Nations property. I welcome the Council’s strong condemnation of the detention through its press statement last week (SC/16166). The safety and security of United Nations personnel, as well as the inviolability of United Nations premises, must be guaranteed at all times. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all United Nations, non-governmental organization, civil society and diplomatic mission personnel detained by the Houthis, including those held since 2021. Threats against humanitarian workers are unacceptable and risk exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. Secondly, we condemn the ongoing and persistent Houthi aggression, with continuing missile and drone attacks against Israel and against shipping in the Red Thirdly, the United Kingdom reiterates its concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen, as set out by Under-Secretary-General Fletcher. The number of people who are food insecure is likely to rise to more than 18 million in the next six months. The United Kingdom has dedicated $79 million this year specifically to address food insecurity. We must work together to ensure that the international community remains focused on the humanitarian response and to galvanize donors to fill critical funding gaps. We also encourage the United Nations to ensure that resources are prioritized to mitigate the worst impacts of this looming crisis. The United Kingdom remains resolute in its support to the efforts of the Special Envoy and his team in charting a path towards lasting stability and security in Yemen.

I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council, namely, Algeria, Sierra Leone and my own country, Somalia, as well as Guyana (A3+). We thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher for their comprehensive briefings and welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen in this meeting. At the outset, the A3+ reaffirms its steadfast support for the efforts of the Special Envoy in facilitating the political settlement through a Yemini-led, Yemeni-owned political process based on agreed preferences. We stress, once again, that dialogue, compromise and inclusivity remain the only path towards a sustainable solution for the conflict and the alleviation of the suffering endured by the Yemeni people. On the security front, the A3+ members express deep concern about the fragile and deteriorating security situation in Yemen and the wider region. The group reiterates the urgent need for coordinated efforts to de-escalate tensions and protect civilians. The A3+ notes with cautious optimism that there have been no new attacks in the Red Sea since the most recent report to the Council (S/2025/569). This is a welcome development, as it contributes to regional stability and demonstrates the value of restraint in avoiding further escalation. The A3+ reaffirms that ensuring the safety and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is vital to international peace and security and stresses that these waters must not become an arena of confrontation. However, we remain deeply concerned about the continuous cycle of hostilities between Ansar Allah and Israel and its repercussions inside Yemen and for the region. The A3+ strongly condemns the latest Israeli strikes on Yemen, which have caused 35 fatalities and injured 131 people. We also reiterate our appeal for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, recognizing that the ongoing conflict has also negatively impacted peace efforts in Yemen. In this context, the A3+ emphasizes the need to prevent any further regional spillover of the conflict and to recognize its impact on security and stability in the region and beyond. In this regard, we reiterate the need to address the root causes contributing to regional tensions and to encourage enhanced diplomatic efforts by all. On the humanitarian front, we remain gravely concerned about the dire situation in Yemen. We take careful note of the briefing by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and underline that millions of civilians continue to While we welcome the recent release of Ms. Lana Kataw, Deputy Director of UNICEF, the A3+ reiterates its strong condemnation of the arbitrary detention by the Houthis of United Nations humanitarian staff and the personnel of national and international non-governmental and civil society organizations and diplomatic missions. The recent detention by the Houthis and the forced entry into United Nations premises are clear violations of their obligations under international humanitarian law. Such actions are unacceptable and severely hinder efforts to deliver assistance and promote peace in Yemen. In this regard, the A3+ reiterates its firm demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained personnel since 2023, including United Nations staff. The A3+ calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, refraining from unilateral actions that risk undermining prospects for peace, and to engage constructively in good faith via a United Nations-led process. We also underscore the important role of regional actors in creating an environment conducive to dialogue and de-escalation. Lastly, the A3+ reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen. We will continue to support the efforts of the Special Envoy, OCHA and the broader United Nations system in advancing peace, alleviating humanitarian suffering and ensuring a stable and secure future for Yemen and its people.

I thank Special Envoy Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for their briefings. I also welcome the presence of the representative of Yemen at this meeting. The past month has witnessed increased instability in the Middle East and renewed tensions in Yemen. The sharply escalated military clashes between the Houthis and Israel, coupled with the accelerated deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen, are a source of grave concern. We commend Special Envoy Grundberg’s good offices. We look to all parties in the international community to play a positive role and to provide constructive assistance to de-escalate the situation and relaunch the peace process. Allow me to make four points in that regard. First, a resumption of dialogue and negotiations is the only way forward. Given the long-standing confrontation between the parties, a resolution cannot be achieved overnight. Under no circumstances, however, should the correct option of political settlement be discarded. The top priority now remains bringing the parties back to the negotiating table to gradually dissolve differences and resolve disputes, and work towards early reconciliation and economic reconstruction. Secondly, maintaining stability is of paramount importance. The recently renewed hostilities between the Houthis and Israel have showcased the growing intensity and frequency of the conflict. We urge the parties to stay calm and exercise restraint to prevent further escalations. Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected by the international community. It is imperative that the Houthis respect the navigation rights of commercial vessels in the Red Sea in accordance with international law, thus ensuring the security of Red Sea shipping lanes. Thirdly, alleviating the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe is a pressing imperative. Food insecurity in Yemen has reached an all-time high, with projections indicating Fourthly, abiding by humanitarian principles is an unequivocal baseline. Protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure is an obligation under international humanitarian law binding on all parties to the conflict. United Nations agencies in particular must not be targeted. China is deeply concerned about the recent detention of more than 20 United Nations staff — an act that is utterly unacceptable. We call on the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release all detainees. Deliberations on Yemen cannot be divorced from the overall situation in the broader Middle East. Last week, one of the first decisions adopted at the opening of the eightieth session of the General Assembly was none other than the Endorsement of the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution (decision 80/506). The Gaza conflict has dragged on for nearly two years, causing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. China calls on the Security Council and the international community to use all means necessary to end the fighting in Gaza immediately, ease the humanitarian situation and advance de-escalation as a means to create conditions for resolving the issues of Yemen and the Red Sea.

I thank Special Envoy Grundberg and Under-Secretary- General Fletcher for their briefings, and I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen in our meeting today. For the past month, we have seen an alarming escalation in the region and in Yemen, where the Houthis’ actions continue to threaten the well-being of the Yemeni people. Allow me to raise three points. First, Denmark strongly condemns the Houthis’ arbitrary detention of 19 United Nations personnel on 31 August. We underline that United Nations personnel must never be targeted or detained while carrying out their duties. We strongly urge the Houthis to comply with their international law obligations. We also condemn the forced entry into United Nations premises and the seizure of United Nations property. Both new and previous arbitrary detentions of personnel of the United Nations, international and national civil society organizations and diplomatic missions are entirely unacceptable. We call for their immediate and unconditional release. We recall that the work of United Nations personnel is carried out in accordance with the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. Attempts to undermine these principles impede the ability of the United Nations to deliver assistance and advance peace in Yemen. We extend our full support to the United Nations in taking the necessary precautions to ensure staff safety and to bring the detained colleagues home. The security of United Nations personnel must always be prioritized. My second point is that the new wave of detentions comes at a time when the humanitarian situation is becoming even more dire. Since August, deadly floods have displaced tens of thousands of Yemenis. This, in turn, has worsened public health risks such as cholera at a time when health facilities are already overwhelmed. As we heard from Under-Secretary-General Fletcher, food insecurity is also soaring at an alarming pace with some pockets of the population now likely to face catastrophic levels of food insecurity according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. Along with restrictions on the delivery of aid, funding shortfalls severely restrict the humanitarian community’s ability to deliver. We commend the United Nations and its partners for their efforts to stay and deliver My final point is that these developments are taking place in a context of deeply concerning regional escalation. We condemn the Houthis’ continuous attacks on Israel and call on all sides to de-escalate and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law. In the same vein, the Houthis’ continued attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea must stop. Freedom of navigation must be ensured. Endangering the lives of civilian seafarers and threatening the marine environment is completely unacceptable. Recent Houthi missile and drone attacks demonstrate the extent of external support for the Houthis in expanding their military capabilities. The recent seizure of 250 tons of arms on their way to the Houthis underscores that violations of the arms embargo continue. Denmark stands ready to support initiatives that can strengthen the enforcement of resolution 2216 (2015). In conclusion, all parties must demonstrate renewed commitment to advancing a political agreement that leads to a sustainable peace in Yemen. Recent agreements on road openings and water management offer glimpses of hope, but such confidence-building measures must translate into sustained political progress. We fully support the United Nations Special Envoy in his efforts to steer the way towards a Yemeni-owned, Yemeni-led political solution to the conflict.

Panama would like to thank the Security Council presidency for convening this meeting; the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, for their valuable briefings; and the representative of Yemen, who is here with us in the room and to whom we extend a cordial welcome. The raids on offices and unwarranted seizure of property belonging to UNICEF and the World Food Programme constitute a blatant violation of international law and the fundamental principles of this Organization. These actions are absolutely unacceptable and cannot be allowed. Meanwhile, the population of Yemen requires humanitarian assistance, with approximately 17.1 million people facing severe levels of food insecurity. The detention of aid workers not only disrupts this essential work but also discourages those who are willing to provide support by putting their safety at risk. For this reason, Panama reiterates its urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been arbitrarily detained, including representatives of the United Nations, national and international non-governmental organizations and members of civil society and the diplomatic corps. We also recognize and once again express our full support for the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, in his excellent mediation efforts on this matter. In recent weeks, we have closely followed the developments in Yemen amid increasing signs of tension and escalation in Yemen and across the region. For this reason, we demand that the Houthis refrain from carrying out provocative and unilateral attacks that could trigger a larger crisis in Yemen, further jeopardizing the already fragile stability of the country and the region. Likewise, we call on all States to refrain from carrying out retaliatory attacks, which only worsen the humanitarian situation and have a direct impact on the Yemeni civilian population. The region cannot and must not, under any circumstances, become embroiled in another large-scale conflict.

I thank the representative of Panama for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

We thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Under- Secretary-General Tom Fletcher for their comprehensive briefings. I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen in this meeting. The broader situation in the Middle East remains concerning. Escalating violence and instability in the region continue to pose serious risks to peace and security. The use of force against civilians, the disregard for international humanitarian law and the absence of meaningful dialogue threaten to further destabilize an already fragile environment. Against this backdrop, the plight of Yemen becomes even more urgent. While we deeply appreciate the efforts undertaken by the Special Envoy, regrettably, the Yemeni peace process has not made the desired progress. The people of Yemen continue to suffer from the devastating consequences of protracted conflict. Political paralysis, economic collapse and a severe humanitarian crisis have combined to create one of the world’s most serious situations. Millions remain displaced, infrastructure is destroyed, and essential public services are crippled. I wish to emphasize four points. First, Pakistan expresses deep concern about the ongoing cycle of violence between the Houthis and Israel and its repercussions on Yemen and the region. We call for restraint, de-escalation and the protection of civilians. We condemn the ongoing attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, which cannot be justified under any pretext. Hostilities must end immediately. Secondly, we strongly condemn the continued arbitrary detentions by the Houthis, including the recent detentions of 21 United Nations personnel, as well as the forced entry into the premises of the World Food Programme and UNICEF, and the seizure of United Nations property. These actions violate international law and undermine the ability of the United Nations to operate in Yemen and deliver much-needed assistance. The safety of United Nations staff and property and the inviolability of United Nations premises must be guaranteed at all times. All detained United Nations, non-governmental organization, humanitarian, civil society and diplomatic personnel must be released immediately and unconditionally. Thirdly, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Two thirds of Yemen’s population need humanitarian assistance. Food insecurity is rising, malnutrition is widespread, and outbreaks of disease persist. We urge donors and humanitarian agencies to increase funding so that aid reaches those in need without delay. Fourthly, it is imperative to prioritize finding sustainable solutions for Yemen and advancing dialogue and diplomacy to safeguard peace and stability across the Middle East. The road map agreed in December 2023 remains the viable pathway. We urge all parties to break the stalemate through political will and concrete steps towards an inclusive peace process. We support and appreciate the work of the Special Envoy, including his recent engagement in the region. The Council must facilitate and advance the peace process. It must speak with one voice to end the suffering of the Yemeni people, uphold the Charter of the United Nations and chart a path forward towards peace, stability and prosperity in Yemen and the wider Middle East. Pakistan stands ready to work with all Council members to help to forge a peaceful way forward and reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the Government and people of Yemen. Over the past month, the Houthis, with the backing of Iran, have simply demonstrated the continuing threat they pose to navigational rights and freedoms in the sea, to stability in the region and to the welfare of the Yemeni people. On 31 August, the Houthis unlawfully detained at least 21 United Nations staff, as we have heard, from their offices and homes, forced their way inside the premises of the United Nations agencies and seized United Nations property. The United States strongly condemns these unjust detentions. The United States also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of these United Nations staff, as it continues to call for the release of the staff of humanitarian organizations, the United Nations and diplomatic missions unjustly detained in 2021, 2023 and 2024, as well as the crew members of the MV Eternity C. This includes locally employed United States staff. Some of these detainees continue to face the threat of bogus trials, with the possibility of death sentences. These repeated unjust detentions are a stark reminder that the Houthis care nothing for the well-being of the people of Yemen. The Houthis detain their fellow Yemenis, harass and abuse civil society members who oppose them and severely restrict the operating space for humanitarian activities. Over the past month, we have also seen the Houthis intensify their threats to regional stability and to navigational rights and freedoms in the Red Sea. They continue to launch attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Israel, expanding their repertoire of weapons to include cluster bombs. They have extended the range of their territorial attacks, including by launching a missile against an Israel-owned ship in the northern Red Sea. The United States condemns Houthi attacks against Israel. We stand with Israel and its right of self-defence against Iranian-backed terrorist groups like the Houthis. Now we clearly see that the Houthis are also drug dealers. Republic of Yemen government counter-terrorism forces recently seized 600 kg of cocaine meant for the Houthis. This follows several large seizures of Captagon since June, all meant to fund Houthi terrorist activities. The Houthis must be deprived of resources for their terrorist activities. To that end, the United States continues to put pressure on the Houthis to disrupt their access to funding and weapons. On 11 September, the United States Treasury Department issued additional sanctions against those facilitating Houthi operations, making it Treasury’s largest sanctions action to date targeting the Houthis. The network targeted include individuals and entities that are part of the Houthis’ global illicit fundraising, smuggling and weapons procurement operations. We urge Member States to explore their own potential terrorist designations, just as we urge them to provide funding for the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism, a critical tool for enforcement of the Council’s resolutions. Finally, the United States reminds all Member States of their obligations to implement resolution 2216 (2015), adopted by this body. Iran continues to defy the Council’s resolutions by supplying the Houthis with military, logistical and intelligence support. The Council should impose consequences using the tools at its disposal.

At the outset, I would like to thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Hans Grundberg, and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Tom Fletcher, for their France strongly condemns the arbitrary arrests of United Nations personnel carried out by the Houthis in Sana’a and Hudaydah once again on 31 August 2025, as well as the forced entry into United Nations premises and the seizure of assets belonging to the Organization. The safety of United Nations personnel and assets must be guaranteed at all times. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all United Nations personnel, those of non-governmental organizations and those of diplomatic missions arbitrarily detained by the Houthis, some of whom have been detained since 2021. France welcomes the fact that the Council expressed itself and has called for their immediate and unconditional release. These detentions violate international law. They obstruct the delivery of the humanitarian aid that is needed by the Yemeni population. The Houthis bear an overwhelming responsibility for the suffering of the Yemeni civilian population. While more than 17 million Yemenis do not have enough to eat, the Houthis attack those who seek to deliver assistance to them, using improbable and unacceptable pretexts. France reiterates its full support for the work of the United Nations and its personnel on the ground, who must be able to carry out their mission in complete safety. France condemns in the strongest terms the continued Houthi attacks against Israel and maritime traffic in the Red Sea. These attacks are unacceptable and threaten regional peace and security. The Houthis, supported by Iran, must cease their destabilizing actions in Yemen, the Red Sea and, more broadly, the Middle East. The Council must be able to condemn them unanimously and unambiguously. France will continue to uphold its commitment through the European Union defensive security policy operation, Operation Aspides, in order to protect maritime security and freedom of navigation in strict accordance with international law and in collaboration with its partners. An inclusive political solution is the only way to bring an end to the conflict in Yemen. France reaffirms its full support for the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and calls upon all Yemeni stakeholders to engage, in good faith, in the resumption of a political process under the auspices of the United Nations. This process must ensure the participation of Yemeni women and young people, whose engagement is essential to build a future of peace and stability. Lastly, France reaffirms its commitment to the unity, sovereignty and stability of Yemen, as well as to regional security.

We wish to thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen, Mr. Grundberg, and Under- Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Thomas Fletcher, for their briefings. The situation in Yemen continues to give rise to very serious concerns. There has been virtually no progress in the political sphere. The situation along the line of contact remains tense, with armed clashes between the warring sides, albeit largely sporadic in nature, that still represent a very serious destabilizing factor. An increased number of attacks have been observed in the governorate of Ma’rib. This trend generates risks of further deterioration of the security situation. Unfortunately, the acute humanitarian problems facing Yemen remain unresolved. I am referring, first and foremost, to the chronic food shortage and the spread of communicable diseases. We extend our gratitude to the humanitarian workers working on the ground, who are doing their best to alleviate the plight of ordinary Yemenis. The conditions for this are, unfortunately, becoming increasingly difficult with each passing day. We are extremely alarmed by reports about new detentions, by the Ansar Allah movement, of workers from United Nations agencies present in Yemen, including the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the United We understand that the work of the United Nations humanitarian wing in Yemen is further complicated by the acute underfunding of the relevant humanitarian plan. Nevertheless, we hope that, even in this very complex situation, Mr. Fletcher and his team will manage to prevent the situation from completely collapsing, while adhering to the principle of providing ordinary Yemenis with everything they need, irrespective of where they live. The parties to the Yemeni conflict still have an opportunity to chart the path towards a peaceful resolution of existing problems. In doing so, they could rely on the relevant road map for a political settlement in Yemen, the key parameters of which had previously been agreed upon with assistance from Saudi Arabia and Oman. This document remains relevant, although it may require some updates. We remain convinced that recovery and lasting normalization of the situation in that country can be achieved only through negotiations — through inclusive inter-Yemeni dialogue with all parties, including the Houthis. We believe that the objective of all conscientious members of the international community is to pool efforts and help the Yemenis to finally launch a comprehensive political settlement process, under the aegis of the United Nations, on the basis of an updated normative and legal framework. We wish to take this opportunity to extend our unwavering support for Special Envoy Grundberg in his mediation efforts. The situation in Yemen is severely affected by the ongoing escalation of the confrontation between Israel and Ansar Allah. Following each missile or drone attack by the Houthis targeting Israeli territory, which we consider unacceptable, West Jerusalem tends to carry out a disproportionate “act of retribution”, as a result of which many innocent civilians die or are seriously injured. The recent bombing of Sana’a and Jawf province have reportedly killed 35 people and wounded an additional 131 people. In what is now a pattern, the Israel Defense Forces strikes on Yemeni territory frequently target civilians and civilian objects. On 28 August, there was an Israeli fighter aircraft raid on the capital, which killed many high- ranking representatives of the Ansar Allah movement, including almost the entire membership of the “Houthi Government”. Such acts are condemned by the international community, and they are part of a broader context of intensified illegal activity by the Israeli leadership in the region. Just last week, Security Council members condemned Israeli strikes on the capital of Qatar (see S/PV.9992), which killed not only representatives of the Palestinian Hamas movement, but also a resident of the Gulf State. It is incumbent upon West Jerusalem to abandon the nefarious practice of eliminating political and military actors, if, of course, it is genuinely interested in establishing peace and stability in the region, without which it is impossible to ensure the security of the Jewish State itself. Israel must recognize that the only path to region-wide de-escalation, including in Yemen and in the Red Sea region, is through an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of all hostages and detained Palestinians and the lifting of the humanitarian blockade of the enclave. The sooner Israel acknowledges this, the sooner we will have grounds for cautious optimism.

We would like to begin by thanking Special Envoy Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for their informative briefings. We also welcome the Permanent Representative of Yemen to today’s meeting. Let me convey my country’s message in the clearest and simplest way. All those detained by the Houthis must be released immediately and without condition. Humanitarians must be enabled to carry out their life-saving and life-sustaining work freely and safely. We, too, are deeply concerned by the impact that detentions could have on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, when needs are so high. Yemenis already struggle to survive without adequate food, medicine and shelter. For many — including internally displaced persons, women and children — humanitarian workers are the last lifeline. We appreciate the efforts of the Special Envoy, the Emergency Relief Coordinator and the whole United Nations system to secure releases while also striving to achieve peace and to assist the local population. To the Houthis we say directly: “These reckless and inhumane acts only harm your own people, the Yemeni people. You must reverse course now.” Slovenia also deeply regrets that the cycle of hostilities between the Houthis and Israel has once again seriously escalated. We condemn continued Houthi targeting of Israel, as well as strikes by Israel in Yemen, which have reportedly resulted in civilian deaths, have caused damage to critical civilian infrastructure and have come very close to United Nations facilities. These back-and-forth attacks must end. We repeat our long-standing call for immediate de-escalation and for full respect of international humanitarian law by all parties, including the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must also be respected. The same core principle applies to all countries in the region. Yemen cannot afford to be further engulfed in a spiralling regional conflict. Neither can we afford a return to full-scale war on Yemeni soil. The people of Yemen deserve a genuine and inclusive political process. It is long overdue. They should not be used as pawns in a geopolitical game. The best option and course of action is for all parties to engage in good faith and without preconditions with the Special Envoy’s efforts towards a consolidated ceasefire and the development of a United Nations road map. Slovenia reiterates its commitment to a just and lasting peace for the Yemeni people and stresses the importance of the unity of the Security Council and the broader international community to finally deliver on this goal. As the Special Envoy said, we need to bring the focus back to Yemen.

I would like to thank the Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, and Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, for their pertinent briefings today. I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen in the meeting. The security situation in Yemen has reached a critical crossroads. During recent weeks, the Houthis have displayed an alarming escalation of violence by intensifying their attacks, while we are witnessing a political stalemate in the peace negotiation process. I wish to make three points in that regard. Humanitarian workers face increasing violence and threats. Arbitrary detentions by the Houthis have aggravated security conditions, thus affecting the delivery of a humanitarian response. Life-saving and life-sustaining humanitarian assistance and protection services must continue uninterrupted in order to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe, as we have just heard. Secondly, maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea region continue to deteriorate. The Houthi attacks on the commercial vessels MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C in July severely undermined the already fragile trust in an important international maritime trade route. Greece strongly condemns these attacks, which pose a severe threat to freedom of navigation and have an impact on peace and security in the region. Four crew members of the MV Eternity C were killed, while 11 more are still being held hostage by the Houthis. We call for the immediate release of all and their safe return to their families. The lives and welfare of seafarers must be protected at all times. Greece remains fully engaged in efforts to safeguard maritime security in the Red Sea region by continuing to provide leadership and substantial support to the European Union Naval Operation Aspides in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions and with full respect for the Operation’s defensive posture. Thirdly, the international community must intensify coordinated efforts towards de-escalation and the rebuilding of trust between the parties. Regional stakeholders remain crucial for achieving tangible results. We condemn the continuous Houthi strikes against Israel, which feed military escalation and perpetuate instability in the region. In any case, the protection of civilians must never be jeopardized. Greece deplores the loss of life among civilians and strongly reiterates that international humanitarian law must be fully and unconditionally respected by all parties. We reiterate our steadfast support to Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and his tireless efforts to reinvigorate the political dialogue. An inclusive Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned peace process, under the auspices of the United Nations, with full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Yemen, is the only sustainable solution. The stability of the Red Sea region needs to be an integral part of this process.

I shall now make a statement in my national capacity. I first join others in thanking Special Envoy Grundberg and Under-Secretary- General Fletcher for their briefings and will deliver the following key points. First, the Republic of Korea condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the ongoing, continuing and new detentions of United Nations personnel by the Houthis, as well as their forced entry into the premises of the World Food Programme and UNICEF and the seizure of United Nations property. There is no justification — none — that can excuse the arbitrary detention of those who devote themselves to alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people. Such unlawful acts are completely unacceptable. Secondly, we express our deep concern about the recent escalation of hostilities in Yemen. Amid continued regional instability, we note with dismay the Israeli air strikes in Sana’a last month as well as its air strikes last week, which reportedly caused significant civilian casualties, including multiple journalists. Following this, we witnessed intolerable further detentions by the Houthis, along with their vows of retaliation through drone and missile attacks. Such retaliatory action-reaction dynamics only fuel a dangerous spiral, which not only exacerbates the suffering of the Yemeni people, but also poses grave risks that extend far beyond regional security. We call on all parties, especially the Houthis, to exercise the utmost restraint in order to prevent any further deterioration of the situation. Thirdly, we remain gravely alarmed by the deepening humanitarian crisis in Yemen. As the country’s economic outlook for this year remains bleak, the World Bank reports that oil exports blockades, currency depreciation and liquidity shortages are crippling public finances and household consumption, leaving people in Houthi- controlled areas suffering the most. Rising inflation, coupled with shrinking donor aid and Red Sea tensions, is further exacerbating food insecurity amid the country’s already dire humanitarian situation. Unimpeded humanitarian access, sustained donor support and renewed political will are essential to alleviate suffering, restore economic stability and address the Yemeni people’s urgent needs. Lastly, we once again emphasize the importance of fully implementing all relevant Security Council resolutions, including on the arms embargo, particularly at this crucial juncture. We also take this opportunity to highlight the Panel of Experts on Yemen’s essential role in monitoring the implementation of sanctions measures. In this connection, the Republic of Korea welcomes the recent appointment of arms experts, enabling the Panel of Experts to return to full capacity. There is no denying that Yemen is passing through a dark and difficult tunnel. Yet we must not lose sight of the prospect of a brighter future for the Yemeni people. To this end, all parties, especially the Houthis, must choose a sustainable path forward that alleviates the hardship of the Yemeni people, rather than one that fuels further humanitarian suffering and regional instability. The Republic of Korea reaffirms its commitment to an inclusive Yemeni-led political process under United Nations auspices and remains steadfast in supporting efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Yemen.

At the outset, allow me to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your presidency of the Security Council for this month. We wish you and your delegation every success. We would like to thank your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of the friendly Republic of Panama, for his successful presidency last month. We would also like to express our gratitude to Mr. Hans Grundberg and Mr. Tom Fletcher for their briefings. It has been 11 years since the terrorist Houthi militias’ coup against the State, against national consensus and against the aspirations of the Yemeni people for security, stability, reconstruction and development. For those 11 years, these militias, with backing from the Iranian regime, have continued their destructive and escalatory approach, evading peace obligations and undermining all peace efforts These militias are trying to break the will of Yemenis and subjugate them to their coup and extremist ideology. They have planted millions of land mines. They have recruited thousands of children, whom they have thrown into deadly battles and brainwashed with an ideology of hatred and extremism, in the largest recruitment campaign witnessed in modern history. They have worsened poverty, unemployment and internal displacement and turned Yemen into a platform to threaten and attack international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait, destabilizing regional and global security. These militias are waging a systematic economic war against the Yemeni Government and people. They loot State institutions. They extort the private sector. They impose illegal levies on citizens and merchants. They seize port revenues, taxes and public salaries and steal hundreds of billions of dollars from Yemen’s resources. Meanwhile, millions of Yemenis live below the poverty line, suffering hunger and food insecurity. This is all part of the Houthis’ strategy of prolonging the conflict and exacerbating humanitarian suffering in order to enforce their Iranian sponsor’s agenda — a catastrophic project that will drag Yemen into total devastation. The Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni Government reaffirm their choice for a just and lasting peace based on the agreed terms of reference for a political solution, foremost among them resolution 2216 (2015), which is the road map for addressing the Yemeni crisis. The only way to achieve peace and stability in Yemen and the region is to put an end to the coup and restore the authority of the State. It has become abundantly clear that true peace rests on addressing the root causes of the Yemeni crisis and holding accountable the party obstructing efforts to achieve peace and end the conflict. We reiterate that peace cannot be limited to crisis management. It requires genuine will and conducive conditions. The Houthi militias must not be allowed to reconstitute themselves and their tyranny under any cover. This conflict must not be repeated. The Yemeni Government reiterates its openness to all serious initiatives to end the war and address the humanitarian crisis. We call on the Council and the international community to assume their responsibilities and adopt a more resolute position towards the Houthi militias to induce them to accept peace and abandon their claim of a divine right to rule Yemenis. They think that they are above humans. They treat peace as a means of deception, not as a strategic choice to serve the interests of the Yemeni people. An end must be put to their terrorist practices, which are destabilizing Yemen and the region and constitute a flagrant violation of all international agreements and the principle of international humanitarian law. Their sources of funding must be dried up, and a stop must be put to arms smuggling on their behalf. The Yemeni Government strongly condemns the raid by Houthi militias on premises belonging to UNICEF, the World Food Programme and the United Nations Development Programme and their seizure of property and assets. The Government also condemns the abduction by the Houthi militias of 21 United Nations staff members — one of the largest waves ever of arrests and attacks against United Nations staff — as well as other detentions occurring in 2021, 2023 and 2024. This is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and a direct threat to the safety of the staff and their families. It undermines the noble efforts being made to alleviate Yemen’s worsening humanitarian crisis. The time has come for urgent and earnest action to ensure the release of all abductees. Practical and concrete measures must be taken to address these practices of abduction and extortion. We must protect the lives of humanitarian workers. We reiterate that the presence of United Nations offices in Houthi-controlled areas has become a serious danger to the security and safety of staff. We once again call for the premises of United Nations and international organizations to be moved from areas under the Houthis’ control to the temporary capital Aden. That would provide a safe and stable environment for their work and ensure that humanitarian and development activities can continue with access to all groups in need in all governorates without discrimination or restrictions. The Yemeni Government is proceeding with a series of comprehensive reforms in the economic, administrative and financial fields with the support of the Presidential Leadership Council to achieve and sustain economic stability and the stability of the national currency, increase the efficiency of State institutions, improve basic services and optimize the use of available resources. The Government of Yemen reaffirms that urgent support from Yemen’s development partners and donor organizations and funds in these difficult circumstances is a critical factor towards achieving economic stability and enhancing the chances of recovery and alleviating the humanitarian suffering caused by the war being waged the Houthi militias, who are systematically destroying the resources and wealth of Yemen. The Yemeni Government underscores the importance of continuing joint coordination with international partners to develop support mechanisms and expand its channels in a way that enhances effective partnership and serves the path of economic recovery. In this regard, I express our deep thanks and appreciation for the corresponding support of the brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in various fields and their interventions in the development and humanitarian aspects, which had a tangible impact on alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people, supporting the path of economic recovery and enabling the Government to fulfil its imperative duties.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion of the subject.