The situation in the Middle East (Yemen) - Security Council, 10090th meeting

10098th meeting of the Security Council is called to an order. The provisional agenda of this meeting is the situation in the Middle East. Agenda is adopted. In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting. Mr. Hannes Groenberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, and Mr. Ramesh Rajeseksham, Director of Humanitarian Sector Division, Head of Representative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva, OCHA, is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration for item two of the agenda. I give the floor to Mr. Hans Granberg.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, allow me first to warmly welcome the newly elected members of the Security Council, and I look forward to close and constructive cooperation in the period ahead with all of you. Mr. President, over the past months, Yemen has experienced a series of rapid and significant developments that have reshaped key political and security dynamics. While the relative de-escalation achieved in Yemen since 2022 created a temporary calm, it was never intended to represent an end state. but rather an opening that required sustained political direction to translate fragile stability into lasting resolution. This is something that I have repeatedly stressed to this Council. The developments in southern Yemen highlight how quickly that fragile balance can be disrupted and how critical it is to re-anchor the process in a credible political pathway. Absent a comprehensive approach that addresses Yemen's many challenges in an integrated manner rather than in isolation, the risk of recurrent and destabilizing cycles will remain a persistent feature in the country's trajectory. In recent days, military de-escalation and general stabilization have been achieved. Yet the security situation in parts of the south remain fragile. In December, forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council sought to expand their presence in Hadramout and Al-Mahra. And in early January, government aligned forces, including the Nation Shield forces and with support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, moved to reassert control over both governorates and subsequently deployed to Aden and other government areas to secure key administrative, economic, and military infrastructure. These developments have been accompanied by adjustments in key political appointments and command decisions at the national and local levels. While following these developments closely, I have remained active in my engagements with relevant stakeholders. I have had in-depth discussion in Cairo, Muscat and Riyadh with Yemeni actors, regional partners and the wider international community to help diffuse tension and support a political way forward. I welcome and encourage regional and national efforts to address recent developments through dialogue. Achieving sustained and concrete solutions for Yemen necessitates not only the active willingness of Yemeni stakeholders, but also the concerted and united support of the region. This brings me to a critical point. The future of the South cannot be determined by any single actor or through force. Ultimately, it is up to Yemenis, including the full diversity of southern perspectives, to address this complex and long-standing issue. President Rashad Al-Alimi's initiative to convene a dialogue hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a range of southern actors offers an opportunity to start addressing the issue of the south through political engagement. Such a dialogue reflects the importance of inclusive internal deliberation to build consensus and prepare for a Yemeni-wide political process under UN auspices. Mr. President, these diplomatic and political efforts must ultimately be judged by how they respond to the realities Yemenis face every day. In my office's consultation with Yemenis from across the country, what we hear is strikingly consistent. Regardless of where people live, they speak of the same priorities. Services that function, salaries that are paid, freedom of movement, and institutions that work for people rather than factions. For many Yemenis, instability is first felt in the economy, in prices that rise overnight, in salary payments pushed even further back, and in basic services breaking down. With the economy already fragile and households resilience largely exhausted, even short-lived political and security instability can trigger currency pressure, widen fiscal gaps and stall reform efforts. I welcome statements by the government recognizing the need to shield economic institutions, including the central bank, from political and security disputes. And I urge the government to maintain momentum on its economic reform agenda, which is essential to restoring confidence and stability. Mr. President, these priorities underscore a broader reality. Yemen's political, economic, and security challenges are inseparable, and progress in one will not hold without progress in the others. The issue of the south in particular, is bound up with fundamental questions about the future shape of the state, security arrangements and economic governance. This is why ultimately Yemen needs a comprehensive, inclusive, nationwide political process, one that offers Yemenis a space to debate and negotiate these questions together rather than in isolation. Only such a process can deliver on the shared aspirations we hear from Yemenis across the country and only such a process can sustainably end the conflict. That is why I remain relentlessly focused on securing a political process which was and remains the central aim of the UN roadmap. Mr President, while I have centered my remarks today on southern Yemen because of the consequential developments there, the imperative is Yemen-wide. Progress will depend on all parties, including Ansar Allah, refraining from escalatory actions and rhetoric and remaining open to engaging under UN auspices on confidence-building steps and comprehensive political process. Last month in Muscat, the government of Yemen, the coalition and Ansar Allah demonstrated what political will for peaceful negotiations can still achieve. Meeting under UN auspices, they agreed on the number of conflict-related detainees to be released in the next phase as a step toward fulfilling their commitment to release all conflict-related detainees under the all-for-all principle. More work remains to finalize implementation, including agreement on the names of detainees to be released, which the parties have started to work on. But the meeting itself and the fact that it produced a shared outcome send an important signal and renewed hope for families across Yemen. I would like to reiterate my deep appreciation to the Sultanate of Oman for hosting the discussions and my thanks to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its indispensable role. The onus is now on the parties to move from agreement to action. There is nothing preventing these releases but political will. Mr. President, I must also express my deep concern regarding the continued detention of United Nations personnel and other staff in Sana'a. Despite sustained engagement by the United Nations to secure the release of our staff, Ansar Allah has instead detained additional personnel and, very alarmingly, referred some to their special criminal court. These actions undermine the ability of the United Nations to operate, which ultimately harms the Yemeni population we are mandated to support. I call on Ansar Allah to immediately release these staff and rescind the court referrals. I also urge regional and international actors to use their influence to secure the immediate release of all detained UN and other staff. Mr. President, this is a moment for Yemeni leaders to invest in politics rather than force. in institutions rather than fragmentation, and in the national interest rather than narrow calculations. Unified Security Council support for UN facilitated political process remains one of the strongest signals that this investment is worthwhile. The last thing Yemen needs right now is a conflict within a conflict. And the opportunity exists to move decisively towards stabilization and comprehensive peace process rather than drift toward confrontation. This council's unity and concerted exercise of its influence will be critical to steer Yemen on the right path. Thank you very much, Mr. President.

I thank Mr. Gronberg for his briefing. I now give the floor, Mr. Raja Sengham.

Thank you, Mr. President. As we begin 2026, Yemen's humanitarian crisis has further deteriorated. Needs are rising, access is contracting, and funding has not kept pace. The result is that millions of Yemenis are not receiving the aid they need to survive. Mr. President, I will first turn to the plight of the civilians and the difficult operating environment for humanitarians before outlining the challenges ahead. Every Yemeni, no matter where they live, must have access to essential services and where their needs remain unmet, humanitarian aid. But in reality, too many Yemenis are still cut off from vital assistance. In areas held by the Houthi de facto authorities, the continued detention, of 73 UN staff continues to severely restrict critical humanitarian work. I reiterate the Secretary-General's call for the de facto authorities to rescind the referral of UN colleagues to special criminal courts and to work in good faith toward the immediate release of all detained personnel of the UN, the non-governmental organizations, and the diplomatic community. The unavoidable reality is that the United Nations must continue to reevaluate and reorganize our humanitarian operations on the ground in DFAL areas of Yemen, home to around 70% of humanitarian needs countrywide. We remain committed to supporting the people of Yemen where we can, including through continued support to our NGO partners on the ground. As ever, I thank the Special Envoy for his efforts to reinvigorate political discussions and support a path towards a negotiated political settlement led by the Yemeni people. Mr. President, in the past month, the situation in the south of Yemen has been extremely volatile, uprooting families and disrupting civilian and humanitarian movement. We welcome the recent military de-escalation, The stabilization of the situation will bolster support for good governance and reduce disruptions that but otherwise push already fragile communities further into humanitarian need. As the Secretary General has warned, any further deterioration in security will worsen Yemen's already dire humanitarian needs, triggering more displacement and cutting millions more off from their life-saving assistance. Mr. President, as I noted at the outset, the humanitarian situation in Yemen is worsening, particularly in the critical areas of food security, nutrition, and healthcare, all issues OCHA has repeatedly raised in this council. We know that when humanitarian organizations can operate safely, effectively, and in a principled manner, and when resources are available, humanitarian assistance works. It reduces hunger, it prevents disease, and it saves lives. Where conditions have allowed, our partners continue to deliver. In government-controlled areas, the World Food Programme has maintained food assistance in two-month cycles, reaching almost three and a half million people in late 2025. During the recent flooding, more than 27,000 families received emergency assistance within weeks. Coordinated responses in Marib also demonstrated the effectiveness of cash assistance, helping families recover more quickly from floods. But when access is obstructed and funding falls away, those gains are quickly reversed. More than 18 million Yemenis, or half the population, will face acute food insecurity next month. They will be hungry, tens of thousands catastrophically so, facing famine-like conditions. This is worse than one year ago, with at least one million additional people now hungry. Women and girls are hit hardest, often eating last and least. Nearly half of Yemen's children under the age of five are acutely malnourished, but funding shortfalls last year meant that only two million people out of the nearly eight million targeted for critical nutrition interventions were reached. More than 2,500 supplementary feeding programs and outpatient therapeutic programs are forced to shutter. Mr. President, Yemen's health system is collapsing. More than 450 health facilities have closed across both Houthi de facto authority and government controlled areas due to funding cuts. By the end of 2025, fewer than 60% of the health facilities still operating were fully functional. including, for instance, providing basic emergency obstetric and newborn care. We estimate that 2,300 clinics risk losing funding, leaving millions without access to life-saving care. And vaccination programs are also under threat. Only two-thirds of Yemen's children are fully immunized, largely due to restrictions on campaigns in the north. As a result, millions of Yemeni children are vulnerable to deadly yet vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, diphtheria, cholera, and polio. Last year, Yemen reported the highest caseload of measles cases in the world, one of the highest polio cases globally, and ranked among the top three countries globally for suspected cholera cases. This is not the legacy that the children of Yemen and their families deserve. Despite these challenges, our partners working in health continue to save lives. With what funding and access they have, they supported more than 3,000 health facilities and carried out vaccination campaigns reaching 2.2 million children in DFAL areas with measles, rubella jabs, and 1.4 million children in government controlled areas with polio vaccines. Our partners have responded to the cholera crisis, scaling up preparedness activities training local health workers, delivering supplies to nearly 3,200 primary healthcare facilities, and supporting 15 life-saving treatment centers. Mr. President, I will close by restating our asks for this Council. First of all, Council members must exert their influence and pressure to bring about the release of the 73 UN workers who remain held by the Houthi de facto authorities, along with dozens of international NGO and NGO civil society and diplomatic corps employees and former employees. This deplorable situation cannot be allowed to persist. Even this arbitrary detention return and these arbitrary detention return these staff to their families and loved ones and allow humans to do their jobs safely and unimpeded for all those in need. Second, Step up funding to a crisis that shows no end of lessening. Do not consign the people of Yemen to the margins at a time when they desperately need more, not less support. And third and finally, maintain the unity that has served this council so well on the issue of Yemen. Stay pragmatic and patient about the challenges ahead and firm in defending the humanitarian values that guide us. Thank you.

I thank Mr. Rajasingham for his briefings. And I now give the floor to those council members who wish to make statements. I give the floor to the representatives of United Kingdom.

Thank you, President. I thank Special Envoy Grimberg and Director Rajasingham for briefing us today. And I welcome the participation of the representatives of Yemen Saudi Arabia and the UAE at our meeting. First, I would like to start by reaffirming this Council's strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen, as well as to the Presidential Leadership Council and the Government of Yemen, as outlined in the Council statement of 23 December. This unity in southern Yemen is in no one's interests and only undermines efforts towards lasting peace and prosperity for the Yemeni people. Given recent events, our priority must now be stabilization. After 11 years of conflict and insecurity, we must renew efforts towards dialogue and a comprehensive political settlement. to give the Yemeni people the future they deserve. In this regard, we welcome the Southern Dialogue Conference announced by the Yemen government and hosted by Saudi Arabia. Second, we reiterate this Council's call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained by the Houthis. The UK strongly condemns the recent death sentences issued by the Houthi authorities and continued detention of aid workers. These actions flagrantly violate fundamental rights and due process. Finally, we must not lose sight of the fact that Yemen remains one of the most acute humanitarian crises in the world. The 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan projects 21 million people will be in need of assistance, an increase of 1.5 million since last year. As we heard from Mr Rajasingham, levels of food insecurity remain worryingly high, with pockets of famine in parts of the country and growing rates of malnutrition amongst children. With less funding available, The UN is rightly focused on a global humanitarian reset to pursue greater localization and prioritization of humanitarian response. If we act now, together with the UN, international NGOs and Yemeni NGOs, we can reach the most vulnerable people and limit already severe levels of suffering. President, We've heard from Special Envoy Grunberg that despite the many challenges, there remains hope for Yemen. The UK is steadfast in its support to the role of the Special Envoy and an intra-Yemeni peace process under UN auspices to help build that more hopeful future. I thank you.

I thank the representative of United Kingdom for this statement and now give the floor to the representative of China.

President, I thank Special Envoy Greenberg and Director Raja Singham for their briefings and welcome the presence of the representatives of Yemen, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates at this meeting. For some time now, the situation in Yemen has been volatile with peace process deadlocked, armed conflict persisting and the humanitarian situation deteriorating rapidly. Recent developments in southern Yemen have captured global attention. China hopes that in the new year, the international community will work together to advance progress on the Yemen issue, help Yemen end the conflict, restore stability, and bring hope of peace to the Yemeni people. I wish to share three expectations. First, advance political dialogue to achieve tangible results. The international community broadly recognizes the legitimate government of Yemen. China supports efforts to uphold Yemen's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. We welcome the Riyadh dialogue among Yemen's southern factions and call on all parties to resolve differences and disputes through political dialogue to create conditions for restoring peace and tranquility in Yemen at an early date. We welcome the new New prisoner exchange agreement reached between the legitimate government of Yemen and Houthis, which is an important step in rebuilding trust. China supports Saudi Arabia, the UAE, other regional countries and international community in playing constructive role on the political settlement. to the Yemeni issue, second, achieve positive results in maintaining security and stability. The protracted situation in Yemen has long demonstrated that military means cannot achieve the desired objectives, armed conflict only inflicts further harm. We call all parties in Yemen to prioritize interests of the Yemeni people, exercise maximum calm and restraint. avoid triggering new conflicts and take steady steps towards establishing a nationwide ceasefire. China notes the ISGS report indicating that since last October, the Houthis have ceased attacks on civil vessels. We urge the Houthis to respect the right of commercial vessels from all countries to navigate the Red Sea in accordance with international law and to maintain safety of its shipping lanes. Relevant parties should respect Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity and cease attacks on Yemen. Third, improve the humanitarian situation markedly. We call on the international community to provide more assistance to Yemen, ensure adequate resources for the UN's humanitarian operations in Yemen and help alleviate the food crisis there. All parties should comply with international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and ensure that UN agencies in particular are not targeted. China once again calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all and UN personnel, stressing that such attention is unacceptable. President, the situation in the Red Sea highlights the spillover effects of the Gaza conflict. Without a genuine, comprehensive, lasting ceasefire in Gaza, stability in the Red Sea cannot be fully restored. Although the first phase Gaza ceasefire agreement has been reached, the prospect of peace remains elusive. We urge the full implementation of the first phase Gaza ceasefire, the cessation of all violations of the ceasefire and full humanitarian access. We call on the international community to expedite the implementation of the two-state solution and promote a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian question. China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political solution to the Yemeni issue and restoring peace and stability in the Middle East. Thank you, President.

I thank the representative of China for his statement. I'll now give the floor to the representative of Greece.

Mr. President, I would like to thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Director of OCHA, Rajja Sikam, for the briefings today. I also welcome the participation of the permanent representatives of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and UAE in the meeting. Greece remains deeply concerned by the continued fragility of the situation in Yemen. Recent developments highlight that persistent risks of escalation, further political fragmentation and worsening humanitarian conditions. These trends underscore the urgent need for sustained de-escalation and continuous engagement towards a comprehensive political settlement. I would like to raise five points. First, Let's be clear, there can be no military solution to the conflict in Yemen. We call on all parties to exercise restraint, reinforce dialogue, and enhance diplomatic efforts to diffuse tensions which could provoke further destabilization in Yemen and the wider region. We reaffirm our full respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Yemen and support the Yemeni government in its efforts to assure peace, stability and the well-being of its people. We call upon all parties to engage constructively and in good faith in an inclusive Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process under the auspices of the United Nations with the full and meaningful participation of all. In this context, We welcome the upcoming conference in Riyadh announced by Saudi Arabia as a step towards fostering dialogue and regional cooperation aiming at a sustainable solution to the challenges facing Yemen. We further reaffirm our steadfast support for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, in facilitating an inclusive dialogue aimed at achieving a durable and sustainable peace. Second, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the illegal referral by the Houthis of UN, NGO, humanitarian staff, and diplomatic personnel to special criminal courts, an action that flagrantly violates international humanitarian law and fundamental principles of diplomatic protection. Any detention, harassment, or obstruction of United Nations and humanitarian personnel is unacceptable and must end immediately. We stand firmly behind the ongoing efforts of the UN Special Envoy, the UN Special Senior Advisor, and regional partners to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained. The safety, rights and dignity of UN personnel, as well as the security of UN offices and assets, must be fully respected, safeguarded and protected at all times to allow the UN to carry out its vital humanitarian work. Third, the humanitarian situation remains alarming. Millions of Yemenis continue to rely on humanitarian assistance for their survival, while access constraints and insecurity increasingly hamper relief operations. We stress the obligation of all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to ensure safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout the country. Fourth, Greece warmly commends Oman for its constructive and effective mediation, which enabled the safe release, transfer and repatriation of the remaining crew members of the commercial vessel, Eternity Sea, who had been held hostage by the Houthis for six months. This successful effort underscores the critical role of dialogue and cooperation in resolving maritime security crises. Fifth, we reiterate the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation as absolutely necessary prerequisites for conducting global trade and guaranteeing unimpeded passage via sea routes. The Red Sea constitutes a vital waterway for the region and the world, and the Houthis continue to pose a serious and destabilizing threat in this regard. Greece calls on all relevant stakeholders to work collectively to establish credible security guarantees and measures in strict adherence to international law to ensure the safety of seafarers, vessels, and maritime commerce. Greece will continue to support regional and international initiatives and provide her leadership to EU naval operation Aspidis, in line with Council resolutions and in full respect of international law. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Greece and I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Thank you, Mr President. We thank Special Envoy Grunberg and Director Rajasingham for their comprehensive briefings. President, Pakistan remains deeply concerned about the protracted conflict in Yemen, particularly on the recent turn of events and resurgence of violence. Despite sustained diplomatic engagement and regional efforts, these developments risk reversing fragile gains and pushing the country towards further instability. At this critical juncture, restraint and renewed commitment to dialogue and de-escalation are essential in our view to put Yemen back on a credible path toward peace and reconciliation. Pakistan reaffirms its firm commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen, which constitute indispensable foundation for lasting peace and stability in the country. We strongly oppose unilateral actions by any Yemeni party that risk deepening divisions, escalate tensions, and undermine peace efforts, all with adverse consequences for the Yemeni people, Yemen, and the wider region. Pakistan reiterated support for a Yemeni-owned and Yemeni-led political process, grounded in full respect for Yemen's institutions and the internationally recognized political framework. And we support the special envoys call for a comprehensive, inclusive, nationwide process. We encourage all Yemeni stakeholders and regional partners to engage constructively towards an inclusive and durable political settlement. that reflects the aspirations of all Yemeni people and safeguards regional peace and stability. Pakistan welcomes regional efforts aimed at fostering an environment conducive to dialogue and reconciliation. In this regard, we welcome the call by the PLC to convene comprehensive talks in Riyadh facilitated by Saudi Arabia. and urge all Yemeni stakeholders to engage constructively and in good faith towards a negotiated political solution based on agreed parameters. President, Pakistan supports the active role of the U.N. and the special envoy and appreciates his recent engagements in the region, including meetings in Riyadh, Cairo, and Muscat. And we echo his assessment that a comprehensive and inclusive political solution is the only path to achieving a sustainable settlement to the conflict in Yemen and ensuring regional peace and security and stability. Pakistan strongly condemns the continued arbitrary detention of UN and humanitarian personnel, diplomatic staff, and unlawful seizure of UN premises and assets in areas under Houthi control. These actions reflect a blatant disregard for international law and fundamental humanitarian norms, undermine humanitarian operations, and impede the delivery of life-saving assistance to millions of Yemenis in need. We call for immediate and unconditional release of all detained personnel and for full respect the privileges and immunities of UN personnel, facilities and assets in accordance with international law. And as we have been briefed again today, the humanitarian situation in Yemen remains deeply alarming. Millions require urgent humanitarian assistance. Basic services continue to collapse and food insecurity and malnutrition remain acute. This demands swift, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access alongside predictable and adequate funding to address the dire needs of the suffering population. The widening funding gap must be addressed urgently to sustain life-saving operations. President, the Security Council must continue to act with unity to support a credible pathway toward peace and stability in Yemen. Pakistan fully supports diplomatic efforts being undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards this end, and also commends the efforts of other regional countries, including Oman and the UAE. We hope that these efforts will result in concrete steps towards achieving lasting peace and an end to the suffering of the Yemeni people. Pakistan will work constructively with all Council members, and we reaffirm a steadfast solidarity with the Government and people of Yemen during these challenging times. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Pakistan, and I will now give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

Colombia would like to thank the Presidency for convening and facilitating this briefing session on the situation in Yemen. Likewise, Colombo would like to extend its appreciation to the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Mr. Hans Grundberg, and to Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of the Humanitarian Division, Chief and Representative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva. We'd also like to welcome the representatives of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to this meeting. Mr President, for Colombia this issue is of special relevance within the framework of our commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and the protection of human rights. These are pillars of our foreign policy and of our experience in building peace. The food crisis in Yemen has reached alarming levels. there is a real risk of famine in several areas, driven by the prolonged conflict, economic collapse, restrictions on humanitarian access, and recent climate impacts, such as floods that destroyed crops and essential infrastructure. Colombia emphasizes that the international response must be immediate and coordinated. It is important to facilitate humanitarian and logistical access, ensuring that the UN can operate without hindrances and prioritize the delivery of food, agricultural supplies, and nutritional services to prevent a greater catastrophe. The drastic reduction in the assistance planned for 2026 due to lack of funding will only worsen the situation. And that's why we call upon donors to close funding gaps and prevent the crisis from evolving into a widespread famine. Likewise, we call upon the parties to the conflict to allow humanitarian access and to protect civilian infrastructure, including ports and roads, which are essential for the arrival of aid. Colombia reaffirms that food security in Yemen is not only a humanitarian imperative, but it is also a requirement for regional stability and the building of sustainable peace. Furthermore, Colombia states in the strongest terms that the immediate release of detained humanitarian personnel and respect for international humanitarian law are minimum conditions. The UN, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the heads of agencies such as the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF, the World Food Programme and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have all strongly condemned these detentions, underscoring the violation of immunities the arbitrary nature of the arrests and the intolerable conditions of their detention. Mr. President, Colombia reiterates its firm support for an inclusive intra-Yemeni political process, which allows all parties involved to participate in building sustainable peace. Likewise, Colombia urges the continuation of mediation efforts among the parties to the conflict, including the resumption of dialogue and the advancement of a political process under the auspices of the United Nations. This is the only way to end the crisis and to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. Colombia believes that the mission should maintain some presence in Yemen. Focusing on essential tasks under the Hodeidah Agreement. Under the Office of the Special Envoy, this minimal presence is necessary to continue to promote the political process between the parties, support the release of detainees and facilitate humanitarian access. Otherwise, the crisis could worsen and tensions on the ground could increase. The search for a solution to the prolonged political and humanitarian crisis in Yemen must remain on the Security Council's agenda, along with efforts to ensure the protection of civilians and of UN personnel. Colombia reaffirms its commitment to an inclusive and sustainable political solution, which is based on international law, the guarantee of maintaining Yemen's territorial unity and humanitarian protection. Likewise, Colombia makes its contribution based on our experience in peacebuilding, namely the importance of promoting consensus and measures that favour dialogue over coercion and cooperation over confrontation. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Colombia for his statement and now give the floor representative of Panama.

Thank you, Mr. President. We would like to thank the presidency of the council for convening this meeting, as well as the special envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen, Mr. Hans Grunberg, and the head and representative of OCHA in Geneva, Ramesh Rajasingham. We thank you for your briefings. and we recognize the representatives of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, distinguishing us with their presence today. During our term on the Security Council, we have followed with particular attention the evolution of developments in Yemen, a context marked by persistent instability and volatility. We are deeply concerned about the ongoing humanitarian situation in Yemen that's getting worse. This situation has been described in such lucid detail by Mr. Rajasingham. The civilian population continues to pay the highest price of the conflict, trapped among multiple armed actors, institutional fragmentation, and economic collapse. while facing forced displacement, acute food insecurity, and increasingly limited access to essential services. Our focus on this issue is further reinforced by the fact that since our last statement, we have witnessed some of the most significant changes in the country's political landscape, particularly in the configuration and distribution of power. including the advances of the Southern Transitional Council, the consolidation of its control over strategic areas in the south, and its subsequent sudden dissolution, developments that raise concern and underscore the need to prioritize the national agenda. While we recognize the substantial role of regional mediators who, for years, have provided the space and support needed to move toward a solution and preserve stability, we still firmly reiterate our position regarding the central role that Yemenis themselves must play in adopting decisions concerning their future and their governance. We also reiterate our full support for the Special Envoy, Hans Krohnberg, whose work as an intermediary has been essential in facilitating dialogue and enabling us to better understand with greater precision the situation on the ground in the country. Likewise, we wish to acknowledge the role of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement, UNMHA. which since it was established has contributed significantly to the implementation of the Stockholm agreements, mediating to reduce tensions and promote confidence among the parties. Mr President, Panama reiterates its urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons arbitrarily detained by the Houthis. many of whom have remained deprived of their freedom for months and even years. Among them are representatives of the United Nations, national and international non-governmental organisations, as well as members of civil society and of the diplomatic corps. In this context, we strongly condemn the recent actions by the Houthis, who, through the use of their illegal specialized criminal court, seek to repress and violate the fundamental rights of persons arbitrarily detained. We also underscore the importance of keeping our focus on security in the Red Sea, which, while it has shown a certain level of stability in recent months, must not see a repeat of the acts of violence that we previously witnessed, which caused human and economic losses. President, for all of the above, we reiterate the importance of this Council continuing to pay attention to developments in Yemen, considering their impact on regional stability, maritime security, and the grave humanitarian situation. And we call for the promotion of genuine, inclusive, and representative dialogue that reflects in a balanced manner the interests of all the parties. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Panama for his statement. And now give the floor the representative of Bahrain.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to thank Mr. Hans Krumberg the special envoy of the Secretary-General to Yemen, and I thank Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham for their valuable briefings. I welcome the participation of the sisterly countries in this meeting. The Kingdom of Bahrain is closely following recent developments in Yemen. It expresses its concern over the repercussions of escalating tensions on the country's sovereignty, unity, and independence. as well as the risks that these pose to regional security and stability. My country calls for adhering to calm and restraint and to prioritizing wisdom and reason in a manner that will support efforts to achieve a lasting peace that would put an end to the war, that would consolidate stability and open new horizons for development and prosperity in a manner that meets the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people. Al Akhbar Al Bahrain reiterated its firm position supporting the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Yemen. We stress the need to resolve the Yemeni crisis through dialogue and diplomacy. in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, with resolution number 2216 at the forefront. The Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes and supports the Yemeni initiative to hold a conference in the city of Riyadh that brings together all the southern components to sit at the dialogue table and to discuss fair solutions to the southern issue. We appreciate the response of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host this conference. We consider it a positive step towards ending tensions and escalation and towards adopting dialogue and diplomatic solutions in a manner that respects the higher interests of the brotherly Republic of Yemen and supports regional security and stability. My country affirms that the only path to achieving this goal lies in dialogue within a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis. The Kingdom of Bahrain supports the efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Mr. Hans Grunberg, those efforts that are made with all Yemeni parties to resume the stalled political process under the auspices of the United Nations. We commend the ongoing efforts of both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman towards achieving this target, Mr. President. Various parts of Yemen have urgent humanitarian needs. We are deeply concerned over the worsening food insecurity that has reached unprecedented levels. Providing assistance under these difficult circumstances is a humanitarian duty that requires a safe working environment and the ability to reach those most in need. In this context, we commend the tireless efforts made by humanitarian workers to save lives despite the increasing risks that they face and despite the campaign of arbitrary arrests that has led to the detention of 73 staff members of UN agencies in Yemen by the Houthis, including staff from the World Food Program, UNICEF, and UNDP. The Kingdom of Bahrain condemns such arbitrary actions. We condemn the null and void judicial procedures against the detainees. We stress the need for the Security Council and the Secretary-General to act swiftly for their immediate and conditional release. Mr. President, my country voted in favor of Security Council resolution 2812 of the year 2026 to reaffirm our firm and principled position on the security of navigation in the Red Sea and to condemn attacks on ships as they represent the economic lifeline of the world. Any assault on these ships constitutes a threat to freedom of navigation and international trade. The situation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab remains concerning. Even if the Houthi attacks on maritime navigation have decreased, these threats continue to exist and security and economic risks remain high as well. Therefore, we supported the extension of the reporting mandate under Security Council Resolution 2722 of the year 2024. Thank you, sir.

I thank the representative of Bahrain for her statement. And now give the floor the representative of Russian Federation.

Mr. President, we wish to thank the special envoy, the Secretary General for Yemen, Hans Kuhnberg, as well as the director of the humanitarian sector division, representative for the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva, Ramesh Rajasingham, for their briefings. We welcome the participation in today's meeting, the representatives of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. We are concerned by the escalation in southeastern provinces of the country as a result of clashes between various groups incorporated into pro-government forces, including the Southern Transitional Council of Yemen. The current wave of tensions has already had an adverse impact on the socioeconomic life of the country. There are disruptions to electricity supply, There are spikes in the number of IDPs who have been forced to flee their homes in an attempt to flee the violence. The uncontrolled collapse of the situation for now has been avoided. And this is thanks to the concerted efforts of regional stakeholders, efforts geared towards stabilizing the situation. We urge all stakeholders to refrain from making categorical statements and especially from acts of force. Within the ranks of the internationally recognized international authorities, there is conflict. And this needs to be resolved exclusively through diplomatic methods. And the responsible members of the international community should undertake measures to assist the Yemenis as they surmount the consequences of this crisis. Mr. President, the Russian Federation consistently advocates for facilitating internal Yemeni normalization. with the pretext of turmoil in the Red Sea, a comprehensive resolution in Yemen effectively has been paused as a result. As a result, valuable time was lost, which resulted in expected consequences, namely new problematic factors and hotbeds of instability are entering the Yemeni equation, so to speak. We call upon the Secretary-General and Special Envoy in Yemen to immediately shore up efforts for reconciliation among the Yemeni stakeholders and to establish between them resilient mechanisms for cooperation with a focus on launching inclusive dialogue. It is past time to complete work on the roadmap for comprehensive settlement to the Yemeni crisis, the main parameters of which had been agreed upon previously by the key Yemeni and regional stakeholders. In our view, this document, although it needs to be fine-tuned to reflect present-day realities, this document remains nonetheless relevant. Furthermore, we recall the need to reconsider the existing normative legal basis, including Security Council Resolution 2216. For our part, we will continue to engage in constructive cooperation to these ends with official Yemeni authorities and all influential political forces of this friendly nation, as well as with Russian partners in the region. By all accounts, all Yemeni protagonists are showing a willingness to revert back to full fledged negotiations with their adversaries. One of the important steps towards the establishment of mutual trust was something which was agreed upon with mediation of Muscat. In late December 2025, I refer to the latest phase in the exchange of POWs, which is to become the largest scale such measure in the entire period of the Yemeni crisis. There are plans to release approximately 3,000 individuals. We call upon the parties to continue to work towards compromise on humanitarian issues, for it is indeed this kind of a policy of small steps which can help to overcome mutual mistrust. Mr. President, ongoing delays by the Ansar Allah movement, the ongoing detentions by Ansar Allah movement of UN and humanitarian agency staff warrants concern. It is important for all forces with influence on authorities to continue to focus their quiet diplomacy efforts in order to free the innocent parties. We understand why the United Nations leadership took the difficult decision to halt humanitarian operations in the north country. We trust that these measures will be temporary in nature. We continue to believe that there is no alternative to the preservation of the United Nations presence on the entire territory of Yemen. This is necessary owing to the dire humanitarian situation in the northern provinces, which account for approximately 70 percent of all humanitarian needs for ordinary civilians, and the need to maintain working contacts with all Yemeni stakeholders, including the Houthis. Furthermore, we believe that the activity of the United Nations mission in Hodeidah, unlike the redundant reports on the situation in the Red Sea, this activity is indeed beneficial and is a tangible stabilizing factor on the ground. We believe that in order to adopt a balanced decision regarding the future of this mission, the membership of the Council needs to judiciously assess the whole gamut of factors and to give thought to the political consequences of such a measure for Yemeni resolution, its possible impact on the military, political, and humanitarian situation. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Russian Federation for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the United States of America.

Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to our briefers today. The United States remains concerned by recent events in southeastern Yemen. We urge restraint and continued diplomacy to seek a lasting solution. We remain supportive of all efforts to advance our shared security interests. We continue to support the Republic of Yemen government and the Presidential Leadership Council to enhance Yemen's security and stability. We look to regional partners to support Yemeni government that is united in purpose and to counter the Houthi terrorists and the threat that they pose to regional security and the freedom of navigation. The continued Houthi detention of staff of the UN, civil society organizations, diplomatic missions, including the US mission, exemplify the continued terrorist threat that the Houthis pose. We condemn these detentions and the sham trials launched for some of the detainees. Once again, we call on the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release all of these detainees. This council must also act to counter the Houthi threat by depriving them of the resources for their terrorist activities. We urge UN member states to follow the United States lead and designate and sanction the Houthis as terrorist organizations. Finally, all member states have an obligation to implement UN sanctions. Iran and others continue to defy this council's resolutions by supplying the Houthis with arms and related material, as well as with military, logistical, and intelligence support. These actions should carry consequences, including designation in the Yemen sanctions committee of those who fail to fully implement UN sanctions on the Houthis and their allies. The United States strongly supports UN mechanisms that restrict the resources fueling Houthi terrorist activities, especially the UN verification and inspection mechanism. Conversely, the UN mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement, UNMA, has failed to gain traction in the face of Houthi obstructionism. We urge Council members to support sunsetting this mission at the end of this month. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United States and now give the floor to the representative of Denmark.

Thank you, President. And I would also like to thank Special Envoy Gronberg and Director Rajasingham for their briefings. Mr. President, the recent escalation in the south of Yemen is a cause for grave concern, threatening the country's fragile stability. Yemen's unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be respected, and we express our continued support to the Presidential Leadership Council and the Government of Yemen. Denmark calls for de-escalation through a return to dialogue and encourages all relevant parties to engage constructively in ongoing efforts. All political differences must be settled to re-establish conditions conducive to negotiating a nationwide comprehensive political settlement to the conflict. We reaffirm our full support for the UN-led peace process and the efforts of Special Envoy Brundtland in this regard. Mr. President, as we enter the new year, many families regrettably continue to miss their loved ones with 73 UN staff members brutally held in Houthi captivity. Denmark condemns the latest detention of a further 14 UN staff members, as well as the illegal referral of three UN staff members to the so-called Houthi Specialized Criminal Court. We strongly urge the Houthis to reverse course. All staff from the UN, civil society, NGOs and diplomatic missions must be released immediately and unconditionally. The immunities of UN personnel must always be respected in Yemen and across the globe. We express our full support to the United Nations in taking the necessary precautions to guarantee the safety of their staff members. Mr President, while these unacceptable detentions continue, the humanitarian situation grows worse by the day. Denmark is deeply worried about the rising food insecurity and its consequences, especially for the children of Yemen. With food insecurity expected to worsen over the coming period, more parents in Yemen will be forced to make impossible choices: to sell off their properties and land today to feed their children tomorrow, to force their children to work instead of going to school, or to marry off their youngest daughters, some even before they turn 15. Without immediate action, we risk losing an entire generation. More financing is urgently needed to address the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen and to ensure that aid reaches those in need. Last year, Denmark contributed with more than US$5 million to the Yemen Humanitarian Fund. We encourage continued and increased engagement from other countries to help close the financing gap. Mr President, in closing, The latest agreement between the Houthis and the Government of Yemen to exchange 2,900 conflict-related detainees demonstrates that progress is achievable and offers a glimmer of hope. Denmark calls on all stakeholders to build on this and to ensure that this hope is not lost. As long as the conflict and division continue to wreak havoc across Yemen, the Yemeni people will continue to suffer. setting differences aside, and finally focusing on bringing peace, security, and prosperity to Yemen through dialogue is the only viable path forward. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement, and now give the floor to the representative of France.

Mr. President, I wish first and foremost to thank the special envoy of the Secretary General, Mr. Hans Kuhnberg, and the director of OCHA and representative of OCHA, Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, for their briefings. Turning to the crisis which broke out last December in the south and east of the country, France reaffirms our commitment to the unity, the sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of Yemen, as well as the prerogatives of the legitimate government and the Yemeni presidential council. We support diplomatic efforts which are geared towards arriving at a political solution on the basis of these parameters, and we applaud the call for inclusive dialogue from President Hadi to achieve a resolution to the question of the south of Yemen. We recall the importance for the legitimate government and the Presidential Council to remain united and to be in a position to operate fully for the benefit of the Yemeni people. The Houthis must end their policies of destabilizing Yemen. They continue to pose a threat to regional security and maritime traffic. They must bring their attacks to an end. France has extended our support to the renewal of the resolution on maritime security in the Red Sea, we voted in favor of resolution 2812. We will continue and further our commitment through the EU security defense operation, EU NAVFOR Aspides, to uphold maritime security and freedom of navigation in respect for international law and alongside our European and international partners. Mr. President, France also demands the immediate, unconditional release of all United Nations, non-governmental organization, and diplomatic mission staff who have been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis. The Security Council spoke out once again last December and reiterated our condemnation of these detentions and called for the release of these detainees. These acts flout international law, undermine the safety of personnel, and obstruct the delivery of humanitarian assistance, which the people in Yemen desperately need. The unacceptable conduct of the Houthis impedes any progress on the political process. Mr. President, we reaffirm, lastly, our full support for the efforts of the special envoy, the Secretary-General, whose efforts are vital. We call upon all Yemeni stakeholders to engage in good faith towards the resumption of the UN-led political process. Thank you.

I thank the representative of France for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Latvia.

Thank you, President. I thank Special Envoy Gronberg and OCHA Director Rajasingham for their briefings. and I welcome the participation of the permanent representatives of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in this meeting today. Mr. President, I would like to commend the Special Envoy for his leadership together with the International Committee of the Red Cross in facilitating the recent agreement in Muscat on the release of conflict-related detainees. It is a tangible step forward amid deep political divisions. We urge all parties to ensure the agreement's swift and effective implementation and to use this momentum through further confidence-building measures that reduce tensions and create trust. At the same time, over the past month, we have witnessed deeply troubling unilateral and secessionist actions by the Southern Transitional Council. And such moves pose risk of fragmentation, weaken already fragile state institutions, and more importantly, deepen the daily insecurity faced by ordinary Yemeni people. So in this regard, we welcome the upcoming intra-SARS dialogue in Riyadh. Latvia reaffirms its support to the government of Yemen and the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen. as emphasized in various Security Council resolutions, and in particular the latest resolution 2801. Comprehensive political process is of vital importance to secure a mutually acceptable peaceful solution that safeguards unity within the Presidential Leadership Council and the future of the Yemeni people. In this context, and with regard to Yemen as a whole, we affirm our full support to the Special Envoy's continuous efforts towards an inclusive Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process. And for such process to succeed, inclusion must be genuine. Full, equal, safe, and meaningful participation of diverse groups, and especially women, in peace efforts and political decision-making is essential to build durable peace in Yemen. Mr. President, Latvia remains gravely concerned by the picture presented in OCHA briefing yet again today. The assessment of the crisis impact on children and families across Yemen, including widespread hunger, is especially stark. And we note with alarm that humanitarian needs are also rapidly increasing in southern governorates. All parties must fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access. Women must be free to move safely and without restriction. This essential freedom also enables humanitarian assistance to reach those who need it most across Yemen. Finally, Latvia also strongly condemns the continued detentions by the Houthis of the UN personnel. These arbitrary arrests are unacceptable and strike at the very heart of the humanitarian response. And we demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detained UN humanitarian personnel, NGOs, and civil society and diplomatic staff. Mr. President, in concluding, as this is my first intervention in the Council on Yemen, I would also like to reassure you that Latvia will be a staunch supporter of UN-led efforts towards peace and stability in Yemen and a vocal and steadfast advocate of WPS and KCA agenda, humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Yemen. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Latvia for her statement. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Somalia. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of A3, namely Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and my own country, Somalia. We thank the Special Envoy Hans Blix and Mr. Ramesh Sengham for their comprehensive update on the humanitarian situation in Yemen. We welcome the participation of the permanent representatives of Yemen, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates in this meeting. A3 remains deeply concerned by the continuum of fragility of the situation in Yemen, which persists at the intersection of a political uncertainty, humanitarian distress, and regional security risk. While large-scale hostilities have not returned to previous levels, recent developments underscores how quickly localized tensions can escalate and place civilians, humanitarian operations, and political processes at risk. A3 reaffirms its strong support for the UN-led mediation efforts and for the role of the Special Envoy in facilitating an inclusive Yemeni-owned and Yemeni-led political process. In this context, we are closely following the developments in the south and the east of the country, where tensions between the government of Yemen and Southern Transitional Council have underscored the fragility of existing arrangements. At the same time, A3 welcomes the Riyadh process and takes note of the Southern Transitional Council's recent announcement of its disbandment. Recent signs of de-escalation on the ground over the past several days including shifts in territorial control and steps that have contributed to improve the stability in parts of Aden. The reopening of Aden airport and the lifting of the curfews are positive development, particularly from humanitarian and civilian protection perspective. We encourage all parties to consolidate these gains through restraint, dialogue, and adherence to existing commitment and to avoid actions that will reverse the progress. A3 stresses that political cohesion among Yemeni actors remains essential. Internal rivalries and unilateral measures risk further fragmenting the country and undermining the prospect for a durable settlement. We therefore urge Yemeni parties to engage constructively in the dialogue, including within ongoing discussions, and to prioritize broader national interest of the Yemeni people over the short-term political calculations. We thank OCHA and its partners for their continued humanitarian efforts under extremely challenging conditions. While the situation in Aden has improved sufficiently to allow humanitarian operations to continue, activities outside the city remain cautious. Recent clashes has affected hundreds of households in Hadramout, and while some areas have seen relative stabilization, conditions on the ground do not yet allow for a clear assessment regarding the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of internally displaced persons. E3 agrees that it remains too early to determine whether such returns can be facilitated, noting the premature movement could lead to further displacement and heightened vulnerability. E3 remains deeply concerned by the situation in the north of the country, where there has been no significant change. We reiterate our grave concern regarding the continued detention of UN personnel and other staff by the Houthis. The prolonged detention of dozens of individuals, including those whose legal status remain unclear, is unacceptable. We call for their immediate and unconditional release and urge all parties with influence to continue engaging in good faith to resolve this issue swiftly. The humanitarian situation in Yemen remains among the most severe globally. A3 is alarmed by persistent funding shortfalls, with last year's response plan significantly underfunded and 2026 projections indicating continued global constraints on humanitarian financing. We call on donor countries to maintain and where possible increase support for lifesaving assistance. while emphasizing the importance of timely, flexible and predictable funding. A3 strongly encourages all Yemeni parties to demonstrate renewed urgency and responsibility in advancing Yemeni-owned and Yemeni-led political process, and calls on all stakeholders in Yemen to engage constructively at this critical juncture in order to move decisively toward a sustainable political settlement. In closing, A3 reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Yemeni sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence. We underscore Yemeni's path to lasting peace lies not in military escalation or political division, but in dialogue, compromise, and sustained international engagement. The Security Council must be united in supporting the de-escalation, humanitarian access, and meaningful progress toward a negotiated political settlement that meets the aspiration of the Yemeni people. I resume my function as the President of the Security Council. I now give the floor the representative of Yemen.

Mr. President, Your Excellency Ambassador Abubakar, at the outset I'd like to congratulate you and Somalia on your assumption of the Security Council Presidency for this month. I wish you success in running the affairs of this Council. I would also like to express our appreciation to your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of Slovenia, for the efforts made during the Presidency of the Council last month. I welcome the new members of the Security Council and I express the appreciation of the Yemen Republic to the outgoing members for their contributions towards the maintenance of international peace and security. I would also like to thank Mr. Hans Grunberg, the special envoy of the Secretary General to Yemen, and Mr. Rajasingham for their briefings. Mr. President, I stand before you today at a different moment in Yemen's contemporary history, a moment where the Yemeni state has begun to regain control over its sovereign decision making and over the command of its security and military forces after years of fragmentation, of competing interests, of a vacuum that was exploited by militias and outlaw armed groups. In recent days, The Yemeni state, with the support of the leadership of the coalition to support legitimacy, completed a nationwide operation to regain control of the military camps and liberated governorates starting from Hadramout and Al-Mahra reaching the interim capital Aden and other provinces. This operation was carried out in accordance with the highest professional and legal standards, consistent with international humanitarian law and with strict adherence to protecting civilians and safeguarding public and private property and avoiding any acts of retaliation. Mr. President, amidst these recent developments in my country, it must be stated clearly, that the Houthi terrorist militias remain the Yemeni people's enemy number one and the root cause of Yemen's suffering for over a decade. Since the Houthi coup against national consensus, these rogue militias have destroyed state institutions, they've seized their resources, and they have plunged our country into one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. They have turned Yemen into a place that issues threats to regional and international security by targeting waterways, by smuggling weapons, and by colluding with transnational terrorist organizations. These militias continue to hijack the Yemeni state institutions to serve Iran's schemes. They continue to impose a fait accompli with their weapons, and this not only threatens Yemen but also undermines security and stability in the region and the world. The Republic of Yemen affirms that any peace approach that ignores ending the Houthi coup and disarming these militias and restoring state institutions will only prolong this conflict and deepen the suffering of civilians and keep the door open to further chaos, extremism, and Iran's futile proxy wars. Mr. President, what has been achieved in the recent weeks was not simply a security measure, but a necessary step to put an end to a final end to the doctrine of rampant weaponization and military formations with multiple loyalties, a doctrine that undermined stability and threatened social cohesion and created dangerous gaps that were exploited by terrorist groups and the Houthi militias alike, weakening international confidence in Yemen's state institutions. This recent achievement was accompanied by a bold sovereign decision taken by the Presidential Leadership Council and the Commander of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Rashad Mohammed Al-Olaimi. These decisions included declaring a state of emergency under the constitution and the law and the terms of reference of the transitional period. These decisions were taken to correct the course of the partnership within the coalition to support the legitimacy in a manner that would ensure the clarity of roles, the unity of command, and respect for Yemen's sovereignty. This serves our shared goals of ending the Iranian-backed Houthi coup, combating terrorism, and protecting airways. Mr. President, the Republic of Yemen reassures the esteemed Council that the process of taking over the camps and deterring unilateral measures is a national necessity to preserve the unity of the Presidential Council and the government and to prevent having the country slide into total chaos. This scenario would have inevitably benefited the Houthi militias and their allied terrorist organizations. thus threatening regional security, international navigation, and global energy supplies. Experience has shown unequivocally that supporting lawless militias under any pretext does not serve counterterrorism. Rather, it turns member states into arenas for proxy conflict. It undermines the foundations of the nation state and multiplies the cost of crises for the region and the international community. Mr. President, As the Yemeni government applies said security measures, it reaffirms its full commitment to human rights and the rule of law. In this regard, His Excellency the President and the Commander of the Armed Forces has ordered that all illegal detention centers be closed, that all extra-judicially detained persons be released, that transparent investigations be launched, and that guarantees be given so that there is no repeat of past abuses. The state pledges to compensate the victims, to care for the victims of the martyrs, and to offer treatment to the wounded because justice and reparations are the cornerstone of any sustainable peace. Here, we highly appreciate the efforts led by the United Nations on the issue of prisoners and detainees. And we note the recent negotiations hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, which have resulted in significant progress. The Yemeni government reaffirms that it continues to cooperate closely with the UN envoy to advance efforts on this humanitarian track in a manner that would alleviate the suffering of thousands of Yemeni families and build the trust needed for any comprehensive peace process. The Yemeni government reiterates its full readiness to provide all forms of cooperation and facilitation for the unconditional release of United Nations staff and staff of humanitarian organizations held by the Houthi terrorist militias, and to ensure that they are able to resume their noble work with no threat or extortion, Mr. President. The just Southern cause remains a top priority for the Presidential Leadership Council as a political and national issue that cannot be minimized or monopolized or addressed through the militarization of political life or through imposing domination using weapons or external support. The presidential call for an inclusive South-South dialogue generously sponsored by the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia This call opens a serious political horizon that returns the issue to its rightful owners and ensures a fair resolution that is based on popular will and under normal and safe conditions. We see this opportunity to express our deep appreciation for the sincere fraternal role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership, government, and people. in supporting constitutional legitimacy, alleviating humanitarian suffering, and fostering a safe political transition in Yemen, recognizing that Yemen's security and stability are inseparable from the security of the region. Mr. President, despite the complexities of this phase, the Yemeni government has not abandoned its economic and livelihood responsibilities. It's continued paying salaries in conducting financial and administrative reforms and implementing the economic recovery program in cooperation with regional and international partners. We affirm that the government of Yemen and all state institutions will, in the next few days, begin operating from inside the country, paving the way for institutional stability improved services, and enhanced confidence among citizens and donors. Mr. President, the formation of the Supreme Military Committee in coordination with the Coalition to Support Legitimacy is a pivotal step towards unifying the armed forces and security bodies under the ministries of defense and interior and implementation of the Riyadh agreement it is a step towards building a professional and national military institution capable of protecting the country and waging the battle to restore state institutions peacefully or in times of war as required by the higher national interest Mr. President peace in Yemen is still possible But it requires a serious partner and a firmer international approach that shifts from managing conflict to supporting the state, from containing the threat to eliminating it. It is now a certainty, given the devastation caused by the Houthi coup, that Yemen's stability is no longer a purely domestic matter, but a shared regional and international interest. Any complacency in supporting the Yemeni state today will mean prolonging the conflict, deepening the humanitarian crisis, and multiplying its security and economic costs tomorrow. In closing, Mr. President, Yemen today, as your country Somalia is, seeks to be a factor of stability, not a source of threat. This is the historic moment that your esteemed council must seize. as well as the international community by supporting these transformations sincerely to build the just and sustainable peace that our peoples all deserve. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Yemen for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Allow me, Mr. President, to congratulate you and your delegation on assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month. We congratulate and welcome the new members too. We also thank the previous members for their efforts over the past two years in the Security Council. And we thank the UN special envoy, Mr. Hans Grundberg and the Director of the Humanitarian Division and Representative of OCHA in Geneva, Mr. Raja Singham, for their briefings. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, The Kingdom reaffirms its support for the efforts of the President of Yemen, the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni Government to achieve security, stability, development and peace and meet the aspirations of the Yemeni people while focusing on unity and peaceful solutions to the current situation in brotherly Yemen. We note that the military movements in Hadramout and Al-Mahra by the Southern Transitional Council on December 2nd, 2025 were unilateral and were not approved by the Presidential Leadership Council, nor were they coordinated with the coalition leadership. This led to an unjustified escalation that hurt the interests of the Yemeni people in all its components, the issue of the south and the coalition's efforts. The Kingdom has worked with the coalition, the President of the PLC and the Government of sisterly Yemen to contain the situation. A military group was sent to work on the necessary arrangements with the SDC in Aden and ensure the return of the SDC forces to their previous positions outside the two governorates and the handover of the camps to the forces of the legitimate government and local authorities in in line with the procedures excellencies we regret the military operations by the STC on the southern border of the kingdom in Hadramout and Al-Mahra as they constitute a threat to the kingdom's national security and the security and stability of Yemen and the region The steps taken are extremely dangerous and go against the principles upon which the coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen was established. They do not serve security and stability in Yemen. We stress that any attempt to threaten our national security is a red line and we will not hesitate to take the necessary actions and steps to address it and neutralize it. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed the agreement signed in Muscat in sisterly Oman on December 23, 2025 to exchange prisoners and detainees in Yemen. This is an important humanitarian step to alleviate humanitarian suffering and promote trust building. We value the genuine efforts by Oman to host and sponsor the consultations and support the negotiations. We commend the efforts of the Special Envoy, Mr. Hans Granberg, the ICRC, and all the parties that took part in the negotiations. Mr. President, The Kingdom listened to the call of the Yemeni President of the PLC, Dr. Rashad Al-Aleimi, to hold an inclusive conference in Riyadh that brings together all southern stakeholders around the table of dialogue to look into just solutions for the issue of the South, based on the close relationship between the two brotherly countries and common interests in the current phase, and as part of the Kingdom's efforts to support and strengthen security and stability in Yemen and provide a good environment for dialogue. The Kingdom started the preparations for this conference in cooperation with the Yemeni government and southern stakeholders. We stress the need for all southern stakeholders to participate effectively and actively in this conference to find comprehensive and just solutions to the issue of the south that meet the legitimate aspirations of people of the south. In conclusion, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, we stress the need for cooperation among all Yemeni forces and stakeholders and for making every effort to reach a permanent solution that leads to security and stability in Yemen. We stress that the issue of the south is a just cause with social and historic dimensions. The only way to address it is through dialogue that leads to a comprehensive political solution in Yemen on the lines of the nationally agreed terms -- internationally agreed terms of reference. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, the representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the United Arab Emirates.

Mr. President, I thank Special Envoy Grunberg and Director Rajasingham for their important briefings. In 2015, at the official request of the government of Yemen, the UAE joined the framework of the coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. And over the last decade, together with our Yemeni coalition and international partners, the UAE made important contributions to the security and stability of Yemen and the region, liberating Aden, removing Al Qaeda from Mukalla, securing Yemen's western coast, and defending Marib. For the UAE, the aims were clear, to protect Yemen and its people from Houthi aggression, to combat terrorism, and in doing so, to promote the security, stability, and sovereignty of Yemen, as well as regional and international peace and security. This was achieved at significant cost to my country. Some of our brave soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice, and the Houthis carried out a deadly terrorist attack on our soil. At the same time, the UAE sought to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. To that end, we provided more than eight billion US dollars in humanitarian and development assistance supporting the immediate needs of the Yemeni people. Additionally, the UAE also provided support to enable the legitimate government of Yemen to deliver basic services. Mr. President, on 30 December, the UAE decided to withdraw all of its remaining military personnel from Yemen. The withdrawal is now concluded. While our operations in Yemen have now ended, our solidarity with the Yemeni people remains as resolute as ever, as they strive for stability, security, and prosperity. So, at this critical juncture for Yemen, the Council must not resign itself to an approach of managing rather than resolving this conflict. It's time to redouble efforts in pursuit of peace, security, and stability in Yemen and the region. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of United Arab Emirates for his statement. There are no more names described on the list of speakers. I now invite the Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject. The meeting is adjourned.