The situation in the Middle East (Yemen) - Security Council, 10219th meeting

The 10,219th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is the situation in the Middle East. The agenda is adopted. In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Saudi Arabia 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 Mr. Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item 2 of the agenda. And I now give the floor to Mr. Hans Granberg. You have the floor, sir.

Thank you, President.

President, as Council last month, I warned that Yemen was facing the greatest risk of a return to large-scale conflict since the 2022 truce. That risk has now turned into a harsh reality. Over the past 24 hours, the fighting has intensified across multiple frontlines, especially the strategic West Coast. Houthi launched a major offensive, including on Mokha, the port city that lies roughly 75 kilometers from the Bab el-Mandab Strait, the choke point linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, through which a substantial share of global trade and energy passes. As of right now, they have gained control of Mokha, giving them a direct presence on the approaches to one of the world's most vital straits. Although fighting is ongoing and the situation remains fluid. This development is raising serious concerns within the international community about the threat to freedom of navigation. The developments in Mokaw follow weeks of escalation. In early September, Ansar Allah launched extensive attacks in Taiz and Hodeidah, setting off increasingly intense confrontations with government forces. The fighting has since spread to Marib, Al-Jawf, and Al-Bayda. Civilians have reportedly been killed in Taiz, in Hodeidah, Al-Bayda, Al-Jawf, and elsewhere, and the shelling of displacement sites in Marib has reportedly killed children and destroyed shelters. According to humanitarian actors, over 11,400 households have been reported as newly displaced countrywide since the 3rd of September, the majority in Taiz and Southern Hodeidah, and ongoing fighting continues to drive displacement. Ansar Allah has also conducted attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which wounded dozens of civilians and which the United Nations has condemned. I repeat my call on Ansar Allah to cease its attacks inside Yemen and across the border into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to cease attacks and threats against commercial vessels. Mr. President, this renewed war should alarm us all. It effectively marks the end of the relative calm that Yemen has experienced for over four years since the UN brokered truce. It not only threatens to plunge Yemen into a prolonged and expanding war, but also risks yet again dragging the country into the wider and unresolved regional confrontation with global repercussions. This situation was not inevitable. Yemeni demands can be addressed at the negotiation table. And in the lead up to the escalation, I tabled proposals that offered a credible alternative. I will continue to engage the Government of Yemen and Ansar Allah to identify feasible ways forward and to keep open options for all fronts. I will work in close partnership with regional actors, whose engagement is indispensable, to help contain the situation. This is my role. What is negotiated and what is ultimately agreed is for the Yemenis to decide. Let me state plainly what I am asking at this stage. First, channels of engagement need to stay open, even during hostilities. My office will continue to make such channels available, including through the Military Coordination Committee, the MCC. The MCC offers a practical platform to facilitate exchanges on military and humanitarian incidents and agree on measures to protect civilians and facilitate their freedom of movement. Second, international humanitarian law must be upheld at all times by everyone. Civilians and civilian objects must not be targeted and constant care must be taken to spare them from the effects of military operations. Third, the pathway to a political settlement needs to be preserved. For years, my office has consulted Yemenis in all their diversity: political parties, women, youth, civil society, and the private sector. Across the country, their demands are strikingly consistent. They ask to reopen roads and airports. pay salaries, improve public services, release detainees, and stabilize a fragmented economy. They want guarantees for equal citizenship, social and economic justice, and state institutions that serve citizens equitably. Such a political future for Yemen will need to be forged through inclusive dialogue and agreement. The UN stands always ready to accompany the Yemeni people along that path. Mr. President, the question of the international community is no longer whether Yemen's war will resume, but how to address a new and more dangerous phase, one whose consequences, if left unchecked, will not stay within Yemen's borders. That is why the unity and sustained engagement of this Council matter now more than at any point in years. Yemen cannot be allowed to slip from the Council's attention. It needs the active investment of every member of this body to contain what could be the precipice for a far more dangerous conflict. Thank you very much.

I thank the Special Envoy for his statement, and I would now like to give the floor to Council members wishing to make a statement. I give the floor to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Mr. President, we would like to thank the French Presidency for its prompt response to my country's request, together with the United Kingdom, to convene today's meeting to discuss the terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi terrorist militias against the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last Tuesday, in addition to the serious military escalation in Yemen following the Houthi seizure of the coastal city of Mukha, which overlooks the Red Sea and which is close to Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Kingdom of Bahrain also welcomes the participation of Mr. Hans Grunberg, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Yemen, in today's meeting, and we thank him for his valuable briefing. And we would also like to welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Yemen today. Allow me, at the outset, to deliver a statement on behalf of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, namely the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, and the State of Kuwait, as well as my country, the Kingdom of Bahrain. The member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council strongly condemn the terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militias against the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. and the deliberate targeting of civilians, civilian objects, and facilities in flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the Charter of the United Nations. We affirm that these continued attacks would constitute a serious escalation and direct threat to the security and stability of the region and its peoples. The GCC states reaffirm their full support for and solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in confronting all threats to its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We stress that the security and stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are an integral part of the security of all GCC member states. We also affirm our support to all measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect its citizens, residents, and national assets in exercise of its inherent right to self-defense in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. The GCC states further condemn the continued targeting by the Houthi militias of maritime security and their threat to the freedom of navigation, which is a blatant challenge to the international community and a direct threat to regional and international peace and security. It also exposes international trade and the safety of vessels and their crews to serious risks. The GCC states stress the need for the international community, in particular the Security Council, to assume their responsibilities by taking a firm position against these violations and holding accountable the perpetrators and supporters, and ensuring the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, foremost among which are resolutions 2216, 2722, and 2817. Such implementation should halt these attacks and safeguard regional security, stability, and the freedom of navigation. Mr. President, I will now deliver a national statement on behalf of the Kingdom of Bahrain. First, the Kingdom of Bahrain condemns and strongly denounces the attacks by the Houthi terrorist militias, which have targeted civilian objects in Abha Khums, Um Shaita, Jazan, and Najran, in flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the UN Charter, resulting in the injury of 73 civilians, including women and children. The Kingdom recalls the Security Council press statement of the 7th of August issued as document SC/16429, in which the Council condemned previous Houthi attacks during the month of July. We affirm that the recurrence of these attacks, despite explicit international condemnation, the persistence of the Houthi terrorist militias in their escalatory conduct and their disregard for the international community and the repeated calls to cease such attacks. Second, the Kingdom of Bahrain affirms that the continued targeting by the Houthi terrorist militias of maritime security and their threats to the freedom of navigation extend beyond the region and constitute a challenge to the international community and a direct threat to regional and international peace and security. These militias would not have been able to continue their attacks if they were not able to continually circumvent the sanctions regime. Therefore, the Kingdom calls upon the international community to assume its responsibilities and firmly address these violations and hold the perpetrators accountable through application of the listing criteria set out in resolution 2801 of 2025. Against those responsible for these attacks and the networks who facilitate these attacks. In addition, the Kingdom calls for the expansion of the Secretary General's periodic reporting to include attacks that target the territories of the GCC countries and their vital facilities, in addition to attacks against commercial vessels, in order for the Council to gain a comprehensive picture of the Houthi threat and its regional and international repercussions. In this regard, the Kingdom of Bahrain stresses the need for Member States to strengthen the enforcement of the arms embargo and enhance the efforts to combat arms smuggling and the components of arms smuggling, in addition to the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. Third, the Kingdom of Bahrain stresses that the aggression of the Houthi terrorist militias against the states of the region is an extension of the hostile conduct within Yemen. They continue to respond to peace efforts with further escalation and close the door to hope for the brotherly Yemeni people at a time when international efforts are intensifying to end the suffering in Yemen. This is evident through the attacks recently launched on multiple fronts against the Yemeni government, most notably the seizure of the city of Mokha in clear violation of the truce, resulting in civilian casualties and new waves of displacement, as well as damage to the infrastructure, thereby exacerbating the humanitarian suffering and undermining de-escalation efforts, pushing Yemen further away from the path of peace. This serious development also enables the Houthi militias to target the navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is a direct threat to the security of maritime routes and regional and international peace and security. In this context, the Kingdom of Bahrain commends the efforts undertaken by the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through diplomatic, humanitarian, and development efforts in support of Yemen and its people. We also affirm our support to the legitimate Yemeni government and the efforts of the special envoy in a manner that preserves the unity of Yemen, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in a manner that fulfills the aspiration of the people of Yemen for stability and prosperity. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain for his statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom.

I thank Special Envoy Grunberg for his briefing and welcome the representatives of Yemen and Saudi Arabia to this meeting. I will make three points. First, the United Kingdom joined Bahrain in calling for this urgent meeting following the serious escalation by the Houthis in Yemen and their reckless attacks against Saudi Arabia. The United Kingdom strongly condemns the Houthis' decision to resume conflict in Yemen and their continued strikes on Saudi Arabia, including the targeting of civilian and energy infrastructure. We call on the Houthis to cease their attacks immediately. We offer our condolences to all those killed, injured and affected by the violence, and we stand in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the Government of Yemen in the face of such threats. We reaffirm the right of Saudi Arabia and Yemen to defend their security and sovereignty in accordance with international law. We should be clear, the Houthis bear full responsibility for this crisis. Their attacks once again undermine regional stability and threaten freedom of navigation, transit passage and vital trade routes through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. The Houthis' advance towards the Bab al-Mandab will only heighten risks to international shipping, maritime security, and global trade through this critical waterway. This is felt first and hardest by developing countries. Second, the Houthis' decision to restart conflict in Yemen puts the most vulnerable Yemenis at further risk and is deepening humanitarian suffering. More than 22 million Yemenis already require humanitarian assistance, while over 18 million face acute food insecurity. The Houthis' continued detention of UN and NGO personnel is contributing to this suffering and obstructs the very people trying to help vulnerable Yemenis at a time of acute humanitarian need. The Houthis must immediately and unconditionally release all detained personnel from NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions, as well as the 73 detained UN staff. Finally, Iran's long-standing support for the Houthis continues to fuel instability in Yemen. We reiterate the importance of full implementation of Security Council resolutions 2140 and 2216, including measures to prevent the transfer of arms, military support, and dual-use components that enable Houthi attacks and undermine peace and security in the region. All Member States must uphold these obligations to help prevent Houthi attacks against civilians, neighboring states and international shipping. President, the United Kingdom remains steadfast in its support for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to secure lasting peace in Yemen. We urge the Houthis to place the needs of Yemenis first, to cease their attacks immediately and re-engage in the peace process. Today, this Council should send a clear and consistent message: the Houthis must de-escalate, cease their attacks and return to a path towards peace. The UK will continue to work with partners in support of this goal. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for her statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

President, I have the honor of making the statement on behalf of the A3, Liberia, Somalia, and my own country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We would like to thank the Special Envoy Hans Granberg for his very detailed statement. We would also like to welcome the participation of the Permanent Representatives of Yemen and Saudi Arabia in this meeting. Mr. President, the A3 would like to express their deep concern due to the most recent escalation of violence in Yemen and in surrounding areas, and we would like to highlight the following: First, The A3 reaffirmed their staunch support for the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Yemen. These principles, which are enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, should be respected by everyone. Yemen should not become the theater of a broader regional confrontation. We call upon all parties, as well as regional actors with influence, to act with moderation, to avoid any measure that could worsen the conflict, and to preserve the necessary bandwidth for diplomacy. Second, the A3 firmly condemn rocket and drone attacks carried out by the Houthis against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the 8th of September and that affected the cities of Abha, Khams Mushait, Jizan, and Najran. These attacks caused 73 wounded civilians, including women and children, and caused damages to civilian and energy infrastructures. Attacks against civilians and civilian objects are unacceptable and should cease immediately. The A3 expressed their solidarity with the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed the importance of respecting its sovereignty, its territorial integrity and security. We call upon the Houthis to stop all trans-border attacks and any other action that could threaten regional peace and security. At the same time, we call upon all concerned parties to act with a maximum level of moderation and prevent any escalation via reprisals that would expose civilians in Yemen and the region to new danger. Third. This most recent escalation shows once again the urgent need for a global political settlement. Military action cannot resolve the conflict in Yemen. We reaffirm our unwavering support to the efforts of the Special Envoy and the mediation process carried out by the United Nations in order to reach an inclusive political settlement which would be led by Yemenis and controlled by them as well. All parties should participate constructively and without preconditions, re-establish trust and put the interests of the Yemeni people above any kind of narrow political or military calculus. Fourth, the humanitarian situation continues to be very serious. Civilians are experiencing the consequences of the conflict, economic deterioration, population displacement, and a lack of humanitarian financing. We call for complete, safe, rapid, and unrestricted humanitarian access, as well as protection for civilians and civilian infrastructures, and adequate, predictable, and flexible financing for humanitarian operations. We are also deeply concerned about the prolonged detention by the Houthis of UN staff members, humanitarian workers, members of NGOs, representatives of civil society, as well as personnel associated to diplomatic missions. We reiterate our call for the immediate release of these people, safely and without conditions. To conclude, the A3 call for an immediate de-escalation and a return to dialogue. The sovereignty and security of states should be respected. Civilians must be protected, and everything should be done to avoid Yemen being dragged into a regional confrontation which is broader in scale. A sustainable peace will not come without an inclusive political process based on dialogue, compromise, and sustained engagement. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for his statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of China.

President, I thank Special Envoy Grundenberg for his briefing, and welcome the PRs of Yemen and Saudi Arabia to today's meeting. Over the past week or so, the situation in Yemen and the surrounding areas have seen an all-out escalation, with fierce fighting breaking out in Taiz, Hodeidah, and Al Bayda in Yemen, and intensive attacks targeting energy and civilian facilities in Jizan, Najran, and Abha in Saudi Arabia. China expresses concern over the sharp escalation in the intensity of this round of conflict and deplores conflict-induced innocent civilian casualties and the destruction of critical infrastructure. We condemn all indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non-military targets. The parties to the conflict are duty-bound to comply with international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian facilities must not be targeted, and their safety must be respected and protected by all parties. At present, the situation in Yemen has reached a critical juncture. The international community should heighten its sense of urgency, strengthen its commitment to peace, and intensify peace efforts to help the country break the cycle of recurring turmoil and embark on the path towards lasting peace. To this end, I will make three points. First, effectively safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity. The fundamental principles, such as sovereign equality of all states and non-interference in internal affairs, as enshrined in the UN Charter, are universally recognized as the basic norms of international relations. The sovereignty of all countries in the region, including Yemen and Saudi Arabia, must be fully respected and their territorial integrity effectively upheld. The security of personnel, facilities and institutions in the region must be effectively ensured. The future and destiny of Yemen should be left to the Yemeni people themselves to decide. Second, we must make every effort to advance dialogue and consultation. Military means cannot fundamentally resolve the Yemeni issue. And confrontation and conflict will only deepen the suffering of the Yemeni people. China calls on all parties of the conflict to move towards each other, work together to de-escalate the situation and create conditions for a political solution to be found. China supports the UN in playing a greater role in this regard and supports the mediation efforts made by Special Envoy Grindeberg and regional countries to this end. The parties to the conflict should make full use of the mechanism of UN Military Coordination Committee, fully implement previously reached agreement on prisoner exchange, deploy confidence-building measures, and gradually rebuild mutual trust. It's important to engage in dialogue and communication to effectively address each other's legitimate concerns and seek the greatest common denominator that accommodates the demands of all parties. Third, an integral approach is needed to resolve the security and development dilemma. Resolving the Yemeni issue not only focusing on alleviating immediate concerns and tension, but also addressing the deep-rooted cause of the conflict. Yemen is home to the worst humanitarian situations in the world. Persistent extreme poverty tends to fuel further conflict and violence. Due to the recent escalation, humanitarian needs in Taiz Hodeidah, among others, have become even more dire and urgent. China calls on the international community to step up humanitarian and development assistance to Yemen, help the country alleviate its humanitarian crisis, strengthen its endogenous development momentum, and, through expanding the pie of development, enhance internal unity and bridge social divides. President, China has always stood firmly on the side of peace, on the side of dialogue, and on the right side of history. The international community universally recognized the Yemen's legitimate government. China has consistently supported the preservation of Yemen's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. We are willing to continue to work with the international community to play a constructive role in promoting a comprehensive ceasefire and an end to the war, launching national reconstruction, and fostering long-term stability and a lasting peace in the region, as well as restoring development and prosperity. Thank you, President.

I thank the representative of China for the statement and I give the floor to the representative of Greece.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the envoy Hans Grundberg for his briefing. I also welcome the participation of the permanent representatives of Yemen and Saudi Arabia in the meeting. I will raise the following points. The escalation is of utmost importance at this alarming moment, as the Special Envoy Grudenberg has just underlined. Yemen must not become entangled in a wider conflict in the Middle East. Over the past month, we have witnessed a deeply serious military escalation in Yemen, culminating in the recent Houthi attacks against civilian and energy infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that resulted in multiple civilian casualties. Greece condemns in the strongest terms these attacks. We reaffirm our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia, which must be fully respected. Equally, the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence of Yemen must be also upheld. And any actions that further fuel regional tensions must immediately cease. The escalatory attacks by the Houthis are unacceptable and risk further destabilizing an already fragile regional security environment. We urge an immediate de-escalation of all hostilities and an end to attacks that risk igniting a broader military confrontation. All parties must exercise utmost restraint and refrain from actions that could lead into a full-scale war with consequences extending far beyond the region. The protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure must remain an absolute priority. We reiterate the obligation of all parties to comply fully with international humanitarian law under any circumstances. Civilian infrastructure must never be deliberately targeted, and civilians must never bear the consequences of hostilities. We further reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained by the Houthis, members of the civil society, NGOs, diplomatic personnel, including the 73 UN staff members. The safety and security of humanitarian personnel must be fully respected. All parties must ensure the necessary security conditions for humanitarian personnel to carry out their vital work in full accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law. Mr. President, freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, including the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait, are vital to regional and global stability. Greece strongly condemns the repeated Houthi attacks against commercial and merchant vessels, which pose a serious threat to the safety of seafarers, disrupt international trade, and undermine the free and unhindered flow of commercial shipping. Such attacks are unacceptable and must cease immediately. Greece remains firmly committed to safeguarding freedom of navigation in the region. EU Operation ASPIDES continues to play a vital role in protecting commercial vessels and assuring their safe passage in the Red Sea, in accordance with its defensive mandate and with full respect of international law. Mr. President, Yemen has already endured more than a decade of conflict, and a return to large-scale hostilities would have grave consequences for the Yemeni people and the wider region. A political solution to the Yemeni conflict is both essential and achievable, and the necessary space for diplomacy to succeed must be preserved. We reiterate our full support for the dedicated efforts of the UN Special Envoy, Hans Grotenberg, to advance dialogue and a sustainable political solution. An inclusive, Yemeni-led, and Yemeni-owned political process under the auspices of the UN remains the only viable path towards achieving lasting peace and stability in Yemen. We call on all parties to contribute constructively to this effort, engage meaningfully with the United Nations, and support international efforts towards de-escalation and a return to dialogue, leading to a durable and comprehensive political settlement in Yemen. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Greece for her statement and I give the floor to the representative of Latvia.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

First, I thank the French Presidency for convening this emergency meeting at the request of Bahrain and the United Kingdom. And I also thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg for his briefing and welcome the participation of the Permanent Representatives of Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Latte condemned in the strongest terms the recent Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which struck several locations and caused civilian casualties, including women and children. And we express our solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of Yemen and all families affected by these attacks. In recent months, we have witnessed a series of Houthi strikes and threats. with Saudi Arabia and Saudi-linked commercial shipping in the Red Sea emerging as the primary target. Iran's continued support to Houthis' actions and capabilities is increasing regional destabilization. These Houthi attacks, which place civilians at disproportionate and indiscriminate risk, are unacceptable and contrary to the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. As noted by the Special Envoy Grunberg, the security situation within Yemen itself has deteriorated sharply, with Houthis' decision to resume conflict and their advances further south, including the capture of Mokha, alongside intensified fighting across several other front lines and the threats to the Straits of Bab al-Mandab. The latest hostilities signal a dangerous escalation with potentially dramatic consequences for the entire region, and represent a further blow to efforts aimed at bringing the conflict in Yemen to a negotiated and lasting end. The Houthis bear full responsibility for this escalation. Let their calls on the Houthis to immediately cease attacks against Saudi Arabia and to end attacks inside and beyond Yemen. We also call for full compliance with the relevant decisions of this Council, including Security Council Resolutions 2140 and 2216. Mr. President, once again, Yemeni civilians are bearing the consequences of a conflict they have endured for far too long, and the humanitarian consequences are immediate. According to the International Organization for Migration, in just 72 hours since the escalation of hostilities on 3 September, Approximately 18,500 people have reportedly been displaced along Yemen's west coast, with displacement continuing to rise by the hour. Continued fighting makes movement for families increasingly dangerous, while humanitarian organizations face growing difficulties in reaching those in need. Families fleeing violence must be able to reach safer areas, and humanitarian organizations must be able to operate safely and without obstruction. These are not political or military concessions. They are obligations under international law that all parties to the conflict must respect. We once again call on the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release all detained UN, humanitarian, civil society, and diplomatic personnel. The escalating humanitarian needs are unfolding against an already critical funding shortfall. Meeting urgent additional humanitarian needs require strengthened international financing, complemented by continued support from leading donors such as the European Union. Mr. President, Latvia remains firmly committed to Yemen's unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and to a comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process facilitated by the United Nations. Achieving this requires restraint from all parties and a genuine willingness to return to the negotiating table. In this regard, we reiterate our strong support to the tireless efforts of the Special Envoy, Hans Kronberg, and his office. And at this critical moment, their work to preserve the space for dialogue and advance a peaceful resolution is more indispensable than ever. The people of Yemen have paid an intolerably high price in this conflict. They deserve a decisive break from violence and a credible political horizon that can lead to lasting peace, stability, and a more hopeful future. And I believe that this Council must remain actively engaged on this matter, and Latvia is ready to do so. I thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. President. We would like to thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Mr. Hans Grandberg, for his statement and for, as usual, providing a very clear perspective on recent events. And I would like to add, they are extremely serious and they could, in fact, affect the freedom of navigation. We would also like to recognize the presence of the distinguished representatives of Yemen and Saudi Arabia, who are honoring us by participating in this meeting. Mr. President. From the beginning of our mandate as an elected member of this Council, we were repeatedly warned about the catastrophic consequences of seeing Yemen dragged once again into a full-scale armed conflict. Regrettably, in recent months, we have seen how, through the use of coercive tactics and actions that deliberately inflame tensions, the Houthis have once again opted for confrontation. This decision is particularly concerning because it threatens with unleashing a new spiral of violence. It could deepen a situation that is already fragile and risk progress, however modest, towards a political solution. The multiple attacks registered in different parts of the territory have caused a high number of lethal casualties among the parties, deepening even more the pain and suffering of the population and feeding the divisions that have stoked this conflict for years. To this, we can now add the attacks perpetrated against cities and infrastructures in Saudi Arabia, which we condemn and, according to the authorities, have caused at least 73 wounded and considerable damage to civilian infrastructures. We have repeated that attacks against crucial energy facilities and assets are especially worrying. These actions do not just endanger human lives, but they can also affect critical services for the civilian population and have humanitarian and economic consequences that go far beyond the place where they are happening. We would like to express our support and our solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as with all people affected by recent strikes and specifically for the victims and their families. President, despite the efforts of this Council to appease tensions and move towards a political solution, the situation that seemed to be at a relative standstill is now deteriorating. This is especially concerning in a context in which Our attention on the Middle East is increasingly fragmented due to the rise in and duration of different interconnected conflicts. Moreover, attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea are a source of deep concern. They endanger the lives of crew members, and they threaten the freedom of navigation as well as a strategic waterway for international trade. We reiterate that the Red Sea cannot become another scenario for confrontation, nor an instrument for political pressure. And we also reiterate that maritime security and freedom of navigation must be respected. Therefore, this Council should remain united and act decisively to avoid a new spiral of violence. protect the civilian population and preserve the necessary space for a political solution. I thank you.

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

Let me also thank Special Envoy Grundberg for his briefing, and welcome the representatives of Saudi Arabia and Yemen to this meeting. Denmark is alarmed by this most recent escalation and strongly condemns the latest Houthi attacks in Yemen and against Saudi Arabia. We express our condolences to all those who have been killed or injured in these unlawful attacks. These attacks constitute a dangerous escalation and risk further undermining efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Yemen. Denmark calls on the Houthis to immediately end all attacks inside and outside Yemen, including attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Mr. President, Yemen has already endured more than a decade of conflict, and the only viable pathway to peace remains through a negotiated solution and an inclusive political process under UN auspices. We reiterate our full support to the efforts of the Special Envoy Grunberg to facilitate dialogue between the parties to this end. We strongly urge the Houthis and Iran to refrain from dragging Yemen into a broader regional conflict. We also reiterate our demand for Iran to refrain from any provocations or threat to countries in the region, including through the use of proxies. Iran must cease its support to the Houthis, which threatens not only Yemen's stability, but the stability of the region. Mr. President, this recent escalation is compounding an already catastrophic humanitarian situation, with more than 22 million people, half of the population, across Yemen in need of humanitarian aid. We are deeply concerned about the thousands of Yemenis forced to flee their homes, many for the second or third time. We underscore the need for full adherence to international law and UN Security Council resolutions. All parties must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and allow for safe passage away from active combat zones. In this vein, the Houthis must immediately and unconditionally release all UN, NGO, and civil society personnel who have been arbitrarily detained. We urge consistent, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to allow humanitarian actors to reach people in need across all of Yemen. Further disruption to humanitarian efforts could have catastrophic humanitarian consequences. Mr. President, in closing, we once again urge the Houthis to cease their escalatory attacks and engage constructively in the peace efforts under the UN auspices for the benefit of the Yemeni people. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Denmark for her statement and I give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Thank you, Mr. President. We would like to join colleagues in thanking Special Envoy Hans Krunberg for his briefing. And let me also welcome the participation of distinguished permanent representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen to this meeting. President, Pakistan condemns in the strongest terms the reprehensible attacks carried out by the Houthis against civilian and economic targets in Abha, Hamis, Mushayid, Jazan, and Najran in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These attacks constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and undermine efforts for a peaceful and durable resolution of the conflict in Yemen. As the Prime Minister of Pakistan has underscored, Such dustedly attacks threaten innocent lives as well as regional peace and security. Pakistan reiterates its unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and stands in complete solidarity with its leadership, government and brotherly people. Consistent with the UN Charter and international law, we fully support the Kingdom's legitimate right to take all necessary measures to defend its territory, protect its citizens and residents, and safeguard its national assets against any threat. President, The situation in Yemen has entered a deeply alarming and dangerous phase. Sharp escalation of hostilities across multiple front lines, continued Houthi attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, attacks against civilian and economic targets in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the deteriorating humanitarian situation are a matter of grave concern. These developments with potentially far-reaching consequences for Yemen and the wider region, also underscore the urgent need to prevent further escalation and preserve the space for diplomacy. It is worth recalling that the relative calm maintained since 2022 was the result of painstaking diplomatic efforts. It must not be allowed to unravel. A return to hostilities would further compound the suffering of the Yemeni people and risk drawing the country deeper into wider regional tensions. The immediate priority must therefore be de-escalation and restoration of a credible political process. Pakistan therefore supports an inclusive, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process under the United Nations' auspices. We commend the Special Envoy for his continued engagement with the parties and regional stakeholders. Yemen's acute humanitarian crisis also requires sustained international attention. Humanitarian operations must be adequately funded and humanitarian personnel must be afforded the necessary safety and access to carry out their work. Pakistan also reiterates its condemnation of the continued arbitrary detention by the Houthis of UN and humanitarian personnel and diplomatic staff. We reiterate the demand for their immediate, unconditional, and safe release. Pakistan will continue to support all sincere efforts aimed at de-escalation, dialogue, and a comprehensive political settlement. that can bring lasting peace, stability, and prosperity to Yemen and the wider region. We urge the Council and the international community to remain united in support of these common objectives. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Pakistan for his statement. I give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

Thank you, Mr. President.

The kidnapping of UN personnel and humanitarian personnel, as well as the use of force by non-legal actors, is strictly prohibited by criminal law, international public law, and international humanitarian law. The violations of the core principles of international humanitarian law, in particular, the principle of distinction, is here at stake. This conflict and the escalation is truly unsustainable.

Mr. President, the Republic of Colombia recognizes and welcomes the Government of Yemen, as well as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The conflict has reached unsustainable humanitarian dimensions. Over 22 million people have been displaced. 8 million people are facing food insecurity. We have reached a situation where peace efforts are the only solution, and therefore the Republic of Colombia condemns in the strongest terms possible the actions of the Houthis as well as violations of international humanitarian law and the principles of distinction and humanity. We also condemn the violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and its Additional Protocols I and II of 1977, especially the violation of the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel of 1994 and the Optional Protocol of 2005. We thus demand the unconditional release of humanitarian staff and the 73 United Nations staff members that the Houthis have kidnapped. We urge for peaceful measures to be adopted and we therefore support the work of the Special Envoy Hans Granberg. We demand compliance with Security Council resolutions number 2114 and 2216. We also request a standing follow-up on violations of international humanitarian law and human rights as a historic record in order to create a track record of international accountability after the peaceful settlement of this conflict. History is watching us, and it will remember. Colombia supports the efforts of the United Nations. We demand respect for international law, and we call upon all parties to seek a peaceful solution to this conflict and end the unsustainable escalation that is causing a crisis situation that will soon become regional in nature. Attacks against shipping in the Red Sea. Attacks against the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are unacceptable. Colombia calls upon the parties to find a peaceful solution to this conflict. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Colombia for his statement, and I give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

Mr. President, We would like to thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Mr. Hans Grundberg, for his briefing. We are worried by what is happening in that country. The clashes between the official government and the Ansar Allah movement are intensifying, marking a significant military political escalation. There are hostilities with the active use of various weapons along almost the entirety of the contact line. There is a complicated situation in the towns of Taiz and Mokha and also in the Hanish archipelago. The authorities of Yemen, with the support of their allies, are working to bring order in the provinces of Al Bayda, Marib, Hodeidah and Al-Jawf. The sounds of air strikes can be heard also in the Saudi-Yemeni border area, including the province of Saada. Given the hostilities in Yemen, The humanitarian situation is not improving. The UN structures are preparing for an increase in the number of people in need, about 1.5 million people. There's a need to expand humanitarian assistance without any kind of territorial discrimination. This should be provided to the entire population of the country. We'd like to remind you that there is no military solution alone to the Yemeni equation. We would urge all parties to demonstrate restraint, to curb violence swiftly, and to settle disagreements through diplomacy. Unfortunately, the conflict increasingly is spilling over Yemen's borders. We're seriously concerned by reports of long-range attacks by Ansar Allah on Saudi Arabia. There have been strikes on numerous facilities in Abha and Najran, on an oil refinery in Jizan, and also on the Hamis Mushant air base in the south of the country, the situation is tense in Yemeni waters where there's an ongoing blockade of the kingdom's vessels. We would like to remind you of our country's traditional position to protect freedom of navigation in all global waters, including those surrounding Yemen. Non-military commercial vessels and those not used for military purposes should not be the target of the warring sides. These steps won't bring about any results apart from a further destabilization and an uptick in violence in Yemen itself. We would urge Ansar Allah to demonstrate restraint, to respect the sovereignty of its neighboring countries and which, when the time is right, will be able to make a contribution to stabilizing Yemen. Mr. President, we, however, believe it to be short-sighted to pin all the blame for this current escalation purely on the Houthi movement. We view the current situation as a broad result of the chronic inability to resolve the situation in Yemen and of the dragging out of the launch of the political process headed up by the UN. We have repeatedly urged the special envoy, Mr. Grunberg, to be more proactive in finding a solution for the warring parties and not to lose sight of the regional context, be that the situation in the Red Sea or the surge of violence in the Gaza Strip. We still hope that the special envoy, in coordination with influential regional players, will be able to get the Yemeni protagonists around the negotiation table. One area for his efforts could be assisting the finalization of the draft roadmap previously endorsed by the internationally recognized Yemeni authorities and Houthis. Mr. President, the confrontation in Yemen has gone on for more than 12 years now, about 12 years now. The brief breather, so to speak, like the truce in 2022, did indeed slightly ease the burden of war from normal Yemenis, but they cannot replace a long-term normalization. Long-term normalization is only possible through an inclusive inter-Yemeni dialogue with all political forces, including Ansar Allah. They need to sit around the negotiation table and reach an agreement on the future of a unified country. We urge all those who have an influence on the parties of the conflict to conduct substantive work with them. We mustn't forget that inter-Yemeni agreements must enjoy robust international support and This is particularly why the UN oversight for the political process should not waver. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for her statement, and I'll give the floor to the representative of the US.

Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciated your briefing today, Special Envoy Grenberg. Welcome to the representatives of Yemen and Saudi Arabia in their joining this important meeting today. On September 8th, the Houthis launched missile and drone attacks against four Saudi cities, wounding more than 70 civilians, including women and children, and igniting fires at critical oil facilities. The September 8th attack is only the latest example of the Houthis' blatant disregard of Saudi sovereignty and civilian life. In recent months, they bombed civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and attacked maritime vessels, wounding dozens more. These are the same tactics the Houthis are using to intimidate their fellow Yemenis. The Houthis have bombed cities, displacing thousands of families, while killing an indeterminate number of Yemeni civilians. Their strikes on Mocha have destroyed tens of millions of dollars of vital port infrastructure in Yemen. These strikes represent flagrant violations of Saudi Arabia's and Yemen's sovereignty, and they pose a direct threat to regional and global energy security. The pattern is unmistakable. The Houthis are agents and tools of Iran, and the Iranian hand behind these attacks is clear. These attacks are part of a broader Houthi campaign to disrupt vital corridors, including the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, threatening navigational rights and freedoms of global commerce. The United States stands firmly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms the Kingdom's right to defend its territory and citizens. We also stand with the Republic of Yemen in its efforts to end Houthi terrorism and bring peace and stability to the Yemeni people. We demand the Houthis immediately cease all attacks against Saudi Arabia, Yemen's legitimate government, and international shipping. We also draw the Council's attention to the Houthis' continued unjust detention of UN staff, humanitarian workers, and diplomatic personnel, including staff of the U.S. Embassy in Sana'a, and reiterate our demand for their immediate and unconditional release. The path forward requires depriving the Houthis of the resources that sustain their acts of terrorism. including through stronger implementation of resolutions to which this Council has already agreed. The Council must speak with one voice. This escalation is unacceptable, and those who enable it bear responsibility for its consequences. The United States will continue working with our partners to hold the Houthis accountable and restore stability to this vital region. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United States for her statement, and I will now make a statement as the representative of France.

I thank the Special Envoy, Hans Krunberg, for his briefing, and I welcome the representatives of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. I have six points. France condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the Houthi attacks in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Nothing can justify such strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure. They've caused dozens of victims, including women and children. France reiterates its full solidarity with the Yemeni authorities and with Saudi Arabia. Secondly, with this attack, we have crossed a Rubicon in the most serious crisis that Yemen has seen since the 2022 truce. and the Houthis are entirely responsible for it. They've stepped up their offensive against the legitimate government, resumed attacks in the Red Sea in violation of 2722. The Houthis must immediately cease all military action in Yemen and in... the entire region. These attacks, furthermore, threaten navigation in the Red Sea. France reiterates the need to preserve maritime safety and freedom of navigation. France will continue its commitment along these lines within the EU NAVFOR ASPIDES European operation, with a strictly defensive posture and linked in with its European and international partners. Thirdly, this escalation started on the 3rd of July when an Iranian aircraft landed in Sanaa without the authorisation of the legitimate authorities. This reflects the destabilising behaviour of Iran, which by supporting the Houthis is fuelling this crisis and is breaching its commitments under the arms embargo stipulated in 2216. France calls upon Iran to bring an end to all transfer of military equipment to the Houthis and to stop all of its destabilizing activities in the region. France also calls for the immediate unconditional release of the 73 UN staff members and NGO workers and diplomatic mission workers who've been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis. These detentions not only run counter to international law, but hamper the provision of humanitarian aid that is even more necessary because of this exacerbation of the conflict. Given this crisis, the way forward is clear: an inclusive political process under the auspices of the UN, bringing on board all of Yemeni society. France fully supports the efforts of the Special Envoy in undertaking dialogue with the parties to find a solution for lasting peace. The agreement in May showed that progress is possible. We would encourage him to continue along these lines, and we would call upon the parties to engage without further ado by focusing on negotiation. Secondly, France reiterates its full attachment to the unit, a commitment, rather, to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Yemen. It is up to the Yemeni people themselves to decide upon their future. and they should not be held hostage to the destabilizing policies of Iran. France stands shoulder to shoulder with the legitimate government that enjoys the authority of the state in its efforts to reestablish security and to protect its population. I thank you.

I resume my function as President of the Council, and I now give the floor to the representative of Saudi.

Arabia.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

Mr. President, at the beginning, I would like to congratulate France on assuming the presidency of the Council in the month of September. We express our confidence in its able stewardship of the Council's work in a manner that serves international peace and security. I also express the appreciation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the convening of this emergency meeting of the Security Council in light of the dangerous escalation by the Houthi terrorist militia, which constitutes a direct threat to the security of the Kingdom and of brotherly Yemen, and the security and stability of the region. We thank the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom for asking for the holding of this meeting. And also, we thank Mr. Greenberg, the special envoy, for his continued effort and for his briefing today. Mr. President, On September 8, the Houthi terrorist militia began targeting civilian and economic sites in the cities of Abha, Misr, Shej, Jazan, and Najran, resulting in the injury of 73 civilians, including women and children. The Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms these terrorist and criminal attacks. We affirm these are not isolated or transient incidents, but rather an extension of a systematic hostile approach pursued by this militia since its coup against the legitimate Yemeni government in 2014. It is an approach based on targeting civilians, civilian objects, economic facilities, and on the use of violence and threats to impose a fait accompli by force. This latest attack comes within the context of a broader and interconnected Houthi escalation, which began with military escalation inside Yemen and extended to targeting the territory of the Kingdom, its citizens and residents, and its resources, in parallel with attacks on commercial vessels and threats to the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Council has previously, in its press statement issued on the 7th of August 2026, the missile attacks launched by the Houthis against the Kingdom since the 13th of July, as well as the attacks on commercial vessels since the 22nd of July. Nevertheless, the militia chose to respond to the messages of the international community with further escalation and attacks. The targeting by the Houthi terrorist militia of commercial vessels and the threats it poses to their crews and to the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait constitutes extremely dangerous criminal conduct, the repercussions of which are not confined to Yemen or the countries of the region, but extend to the security of international navigation and trade and to the global economy, including through increased transport and insurance costs and disruption to supply chains. Moreover, the Houthi escalation inside Yemen and the targeting of residential areas, civilian objects, and camps for displaced persons once again reveals the militia's disregard for the lives of the brotherly Yemeni people and their suffering, and their insistence on the use of force and violence rather than serious engagement in the peace process. The Kingdom warns of the grave danger of continued support for the Houthi terrorist militia and of the capabilities such support provides, enabling it to continue its attacks and to threaten the countries of the region and international navigation. The international community cannot call for de-escalation while, at the same time, allowing the continued flow of support that enables this militia to continue its hostile and criminal conduct. The Kingdom calls upon the international community and the Security Council in particular to shoulder their responsibilities and not to treat these attacks and aggressions as merely another round or wave of escalation, but to take a clear and firm position regarding this terrorist and criminal conduct, as well as ensuring the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolutions 2216 and 2722, and to work towards halting all forms of support that enable the Houthi terrorist militia to continue its attacks and to threaten the security of the region and international navigation and trade. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, the Kingdom has chosen peace, and that is throughout the years of the Yemeni crisis. We supported the Gulf Initiative, the transitional period. and the National Dialogue Conference, as well as the Geneva, Kuwait, and Stockholm consultations. In 2021, we put forward an initiative to end the Yemeni crisis. We supported the United Nations brokered truce in 2022. We worked intensively to support a roadmap leading to a comprehensive and sustainable political settlement of the Yemeni crisis. The Kingdom has also continued to support the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen and to engage with the various parties, proceeding from a firm conviction that the Yemeni crisis cannot have a military solution. Yet, these efforts have repeatedly been met with the Houthi militia's rejection of peace initiatives and with a return to escalation and violence. deepening the crisis and compounding the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people. The Kingdom has proven through its actions that it is a state that seeks peace, while the Houthi militia has proven through its practices that it still continues to bet on violence, terrorism, and escalation. The Kingdom's commitment to de-escalation and to supporting a political solution must not be allowed to become an opportunity that this militia exploits to continue its attacks and to threaten the security of the Kingdom and the region. In this context, my country affirms its legitimate right to defend itself, its citizens and residents, and to safeguard our national resources. We will not hesitate to take all measures necessary to deter Houthi attacks and to protect our security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in accordance with the charter and international law. The kingdom's position on Yemen will remain steadfast, namely preserving the unity, sovereignty, and independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen, as well as supporting the achievement of a comprehensive, sustainable political solution under Yemeni leadership that meets the aspirations of the brotherly Yemen people for security, stability, and prosperity. Peace requires a partner who believes in peace. However, targeting civilians, threatening neighboring states, endangering international navigation, and using force to impose a fait accompli cannot be a path to peace. Accordingly, the Kingdom calls upon this Council to send a clear and firm message that admits no misinterpretation that the targeting of the Kingdom must stop. that military escalation inside Yemen must stop, and the threat to international navigation must stop, and that whoever chooses to continue this hostile and criminal approach must bear the responsibility for its consequences. In closing, the Kingdom has extended its hand for peace, and we remain supportive of peace, security, and stability in Yemen, but we will not be lenient in protecting our security, sovereignty, citizens, and residents on our territory and our national resources. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Saudi Arabia for his statement, and I now give the floor to the representative.

At the.

Beginning, I would like to congratulate you for presiding over the Council. this month and I wish you and your friendly delegation every success I thank you for convening this emergency meeting at a critical juncture as our region Witnesses a new wave of escalation led by the terrorist houy militia not only against the Yemeni people and the institutions of the state but against neighboring countries civilians and civilian objects, energy sources, and the security of navigation and international trade. The Yemeni government has repeatedly warned that treating each wave of these attacks as an isolated incident and then reverting to a policy of containment while awaiting for the next attack will not produce peace. Rather, it will grant the militia further time to rearm, develop their capacity, and expand the scope of their threat. What we are witnessing today once again confirms the validity of these warnings. Mr. President, the Republic of Yemen condemns in the strongest terms the renewed attacks carried out by the terrorist Houthi militia against the territory of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including yesterday's ballistic missile and drone attacks directed at the cities of Khams Mushait Abha and Jizan, in continuation of an approach that targets civilians, national assets, and the Kingdom's infrastructure. The Republic of Yemen reaffirms its full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership, government, and people, and our absolute rejection of the use of any part of the Yemeni territory as a platform for launching missiles and drones or for threatening the security of the Kingdom or any neighboring country. These attacks do not merely constitute aggression against the Kingdom. They also represent a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen. They are a hijacking of the decision of war and peace. It is a use of the territory of a member state of the United Nations to launch attacks against another state. Yemen affirms the right of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to defend itself and to protect its sovereignty, national assets, citizens, and civilian objects from these unlawful attacks in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Through the past years, the Kingdom has exercised a great degree of restraint and has supported efforts towards calm and peace in Yemen. Restraint should not be misconstrued as weakness, nor should the pursuit of peace be allowed to become a shield granting the aggressor freedom to repeat its attacks without consequence. Mr. President, the relationship between Yemen and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia transcends the bounds of geographic proximity. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been and remains the principal partner of the Yemeni people and state in confronting the repercussions of the war, supporting state institutions, economic and financial stability, the payment of salaries, the improvement of services, relief and development. This is in addition to playing a pivotal role in supporting peace efforts and ending the suffering of the Yemeni people. Over the past years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has invested in peace, stability and development, while the Houthi militia has used periods of calm to invest in weapons, missiles and drones, and to prepare for the next round of war. For this reason, the security of Yemen and that of the Kingdom cannot be separated from one another. The missiles and drones that target Saudi cities the weapons that target Marib, Taiz, Hodeidah and the West Coast, and the capabilities used to threaten shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, all emanate from a single military structure that operates outside the institutions of the Yemeni state and is militarily and technically supported by the Iranian terrorist regime. Therefore, a capable Yemeni state, one that holds a monopoly on arms and on the decision of war and peace, and that extends its sovereignty over the entirety of its territory, is not merely a Yemeni interest. It is a fundamental guarantee for the security of the Kingdom and the countries of the region, and for security and safety of the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the freedom of international navigation, Mr. President. The attacks against the Kingdom come within the context of a broader escalation within Yemen. The militia has expanded its military operations in Marib, Taiz, Hodeidah, and the West Coast, targeting civilians and displacement camps and civilian facilities. The recent escalation has caused a new wave of displacement, affecting 6,145 households, estimated at approximately 44,000 individuals. In the Red Sea, the Houthi militia has continued to use missiles, drones, and unmanned boats to threaten ships and maritime routes. Its recent attempts to advance towards the west coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait reveal that its objective extends beyond local gains to acquiring a greater capacity to threaten one of the world's most vital trade arteries. In this regard, your esteemed Council must consider the full picture. should this rogue group tighten its control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the strategic islands within this waterway. In this battle, therefore, the Republic of Yemen is not defending its security and sovereignty alone. The sons of Yemen, in making all these sacrifices in defense of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, their country's coasts, territorial waters, and maritime passages, are at the same time defending shared international security, freedom of navigation, the stability of global trade, and the interests of peoples and states far beyond the borders of Yemen and the region. The region has recently witnessed Iranian attacks and threats affecting several states. even as the Houthi militia works to expand the scope of its attacks against the Kingdom and to threaten energy and shipping facilities in the Red Sea. We see in this a clear attempt to export the cost of the pressures facing Iran onto the countries of the region and the world, and to transform the security of energy, maritime routes, and supply chains into tools of pressure and extortion. Mr. President, The Yemeni government has chosen peace over war. We have supported the effort of the UN and regional initiatives, and we have adhered to years of restraint. But what was the result? Following the truce of April 2022, the militia targeted Yemeni oil export facilities. And when roadmap efforts advanced, this militia shifted to targeting ships and international navigation. Today, it has returned to escalating the war within Yemen and is attacking the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, threatening energy facilities and attempting to impose new military realities towards the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. These are not new incidents, but a single recurring cycle in the absence of any genuine cost for the use of force. Therefore, The Security Council's question today should not be limited to: how do we stop the current attacks? The more important question is: how do we prevent an armed group from retaining the capacity to reproduce this threat every few months against Yemen, its neighbors, and international navigation? Intercepting missiles and drones. and protecting ships, facilities, and cities are necessary and legitimate measures, but they address the symptoms of the problem. The root of the problem is the continued existence of missiles, drones, and heavy weapons, and the decision of war being outside the institutions of the Yemeni state. Mr. President, I reaffirm once again that the time has come to move from managing the threat to addressing its source. The Republic of Yemen is not asking the international community to wage war on its behalf, but rather for this Council to implement its own resolutions and not to allow violence and aggression against states and international navigation to become a means of achieving political gains. We therefore call upon the Security Council to condemn in the strongest terms the Houthi militias' military escalation on the various fronts in Yemen, and its targeting of civilians, civilian objects, and displacement camps, and to affirm the right of the Yemeni government to protect its territory and citizens in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. And likewise, to condemn in the strongest terms the Houthi attacks against the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We further call for the effective implementation of measures prohibiting the supply of arms, technology, and military expertise to the militia. We call for the support to the Yemeni government to protect its territory, coast, ports, and territorial waters, and for holding accountable those entities and individuals involved in financing, arming, and enabling these attacks. We call for the rejection of any approach that grants the militia political or economic gains in exchange for a temporary halt to its attacks. Only to allow allow it to return to extortion at the first opportunity. Mr. President, there is no contradiction between peace and deterrence, nor between the pursuit of a political settlement and the right of states to defend themselves. A capable state, able to protect its citizens and enforce the law, is the true guarantee of sustainable peace. Whereas a peace that allows an armed group to retain missiles, drones, and the decision of war is not peace. It is not peace at all, but a prelude to new rounds of war. The Republic of Yemen will continue to work with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Nations, and the members of this Council, and all its partners, toward a just and sustainable peace. The Yemeni state will continue to fulfill its duty to protect its people, restore its institutions, and prevent the use of its territory to threaten its brethren, its neighbors, and international navigation. The restoration of the Yemeni state, the protection of maritime passages and global trade supply chains, and the prevention of the use of armed groups to threaten the countries of the region are not separate files. They are all parts of a single challenge that requires one clear international firm position. The time has come for the international community not to merely contain the consequences of threat, but to work towards ending its causes. And to send from this chamber a message that allows for no misinterpretation. Missiles, drones, and attacks against states and international waterways will not be a path to political gain and will not go unpunished and will not be a reward for those who choose war. I thank.

You. I thank the representative of Yemen for his statement. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I would like to thank the special envoy, and the meeting is adjourned.