The situation in the Middle East - Security Council, 10236th meeting

The 10,236th 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 the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Hans Grunberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen; Mr. Mohamed Yaccha, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator; and Ms. Inger Ascheim, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children International. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item 2 of the agenda. I now give the floor to Mr. Hans Grundberg.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, in the past few weeks, Yemen has slid back into full-scale war. with the hostilities spreading across multiple frontlines. Following Ansar Allah's earlier advances on Mokha and the coast along the Bab el Mandab, intense fighting has continued in the highlands west and south of Taiz city and across into Lahj. Earlier this week, the government launched a large-scale counteroffensive and has since reported retaking areas around the Bab al-Mandab. Fighting has also intensified in Marib, Al-Jawf, and Hajjah. The humanitarian situation in Taiz, Yemen's most populous governorate, is rapidly deteriorating. And throughout, aerial attacks, including airstrikes, have continued across the country. Ansar Allah has also carried out attacks against civilian and energy infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including recent attacks against Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which killed and injured civilians. I echo the Secretary-General's condemnation and repeat my call on Ansar Allah to cease these attacks. Madam President, While the situation in Yemen remains highly fluid, one fact is clear. Civilians, especially women and children, are once again bearing the brunt of escalating violence at a time when Yemen has been ranked by the International Monetary Fund as the world's poorest country. I remind all parties that the obligations of international humanitarian law are not optional. They must distinguish between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives, avoid disproportionate harm and take every feasible precaution to spare civilians. Children are entitled to special protection and their recruitment and use in armed conflict is prohibited. Parties must also respect and protect medical facilities, humanitarian personnel and operations, and persons who are no longer taking part in hostilities. Madam President, over the past month, I have been engaging intensively with the government of Yemen and Ansar Allah, as well as with regional and international stakeholders, including in Riyadh, in Muscat, Cairo, and Washington, D.C. There is broad recognition that this is a defining moment, not only for Yemenis, but also for the region. I have heard different perspectives on the dimensions of the conflict, all of which have become intertwined. Ongoing instability in the Middle East continues to impact dynamics in Yemen, while developments in Yemen in turn reverberate across the region. Houthi threats against Saudi-linked commercial ships in the Red Sea undermine the freedom of navigation of every country. These threats are becoming enmeshed with the broader confrontation of a control of maritime trade routes and the stresses on the international energy market. And in parallel, the grievances around the internal Yemeni conflict have deepened even more. Regional security, freedom of navigation, and the protection of international trade are legitimate concerns that must be addressed. International engagement on Yemen must also be grounded in the realities of Yemen and the needs and aspirations of its people. A credible political process that addresses the fundamental causes underpinning the Yemen conflict based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions and building on past negotiations will contribute to regional stability. Preserving that path is in the interest of the Yemeni people, every member of this Council, and the wider international community. At this juncture, evolving military calculations are affecting how the parties assess the value, timing, and terms of potential political engagements. I understand the prevailing battlefield motivations. I want to stress, however, that while military pressure can strengthen political leverage, war and diplomacy are not mutually exclusive. Ultimately, gains on the battlefield cannot substitute for the negotiations that will be required to settle the conflict. As a mediator, I must offer a political horizon. My role is to find space, to create space, for a Yemeni-owned political settlement and to impress upon the parties that the political process is a responsibility they owe to the 40 million Yemenis who have endured more than a decade of conflict. The shape and timing of that settlement are for the Yemenis to determine. But unless war is to become Yemen's permanent reality, the time to consider political strategies is now. Madam President, before closing, I would like to remind this Council of the continuing plight of our arbitrarily detained colleagues, as well as of the detained personnel from non-governmental organizations, civil society and diplomatic missions. We welcome the release by Ansar Allah of one United Nations detainee as a positive step. However, 72 of our colleagues remain detained, and meaningful progress towards their release has yet to be made. The United Nations continues to engage actively with Ansar Allah in pursuit of the unconditional release of all remaining detained personnel. Many face serious health problems, and their release is especially urgent, and this Council's continued support is vital. Madam President, as I have outlined, if recent developments demonstrate anything, it is that Yemen's conflict cannot be contained. Without a credible political process that sustainably resolves the conflict, it will continue to resurface, deepen regional tensions and threaten broader stability. This Council's continued unity, sustained attention and collective support for a mediation are therefore indispensable. Thank you very much, Madam President.

I thank Mr. Grunberg for his briefing, and I now give the floor to Mr. Mohamed Yacah.

Madam President, I thank Special Envoy Grunberg for his briefing and his continued efforts to advance a political solution for Yemen. Today, I must warn the Council that Yemen's humanitarian crisis has sharply worsened, and further inaction will cost lives. Over the past two months, escalating fighting has brought renewed suffering to civilians already exhausted by more than a decade of conflict. Families are once again fleeing their homes with depleted savings, disrupted livelihoods, and few options for safety. More than 200,000 people have been displaced across Yemen since the beginning of August. This is the highest level of new displacement since the 2022 truce. In addition, nearly 4,000 people have fled across the Bab el Mandeb strait to seek safety in Djibouti and Somalia. Madam President, behind every displacement figure is a family facing an impossible choice: stay and risk their lives, or leave and lose everything again. Women and children are paying the highest price. Since the start of August, the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights has reported at least 46 civilians have been killed and more than 130 injured. More than half of those killed and nearly a third of those injured were children. These figures capture only verified incidents. The full civilian toll is likely higher. Even before this escalation, 2.2 million children under five were acutely malnourished, and more than half a million were suffering from severe acute malnutrition. At the same time, nearly 250 schools have closed and more than 137,000 students are out of classrooms without access to school feeding programs. Madam President, the fighting is also pushing Yemen's health system closer to collapse. WHO and health partners report only three in five assessed health facilities have across the country are fully functioning and with few trauma care. Conflicts related casualties are placing severe pressure on health system and limiting other services, including emergency care for women giving birth. The risk of disease is also rising. This year, WHO advises that more than 7,800 suspected cholera cases and over 22,000 suspected measles cases have been reported across Yemen. Overcrowded displacement sites, unsafe water, inadequate sanitation are now creating conditions for further outbreaks. All this is unfolding amid food insecurity, economic decline, climate shocks, and prolonged vulnerability. Madam President, despite these challenges, humanitarian organizations continue to deliver. Since the beginning of August, The United Nations and our partners have provided emergency assistance to more than 131,000 people affected by the recent escalation. This includes food, shelter, health and protection services. Health partners have deployed mobile medical systems, activated rapid mechanisms and delivered urgent medical supplies. I pay tribute to all our humanitarian partners, our Yemeni staff, and the frontline responders. They continue to serve communities under immense pressure. But the reality is that humanitarian response in Yemen is falling behind, not because of the lack of effort on the part of those working on the ground, but because of simple lack of funding. In direct response to the recent escalation, close to 20 million has been mobilized and nearly 11 million through the Yemen Humanitarian Fund, and another 9 million through the Central Emergency Fund to support newly displaced families and communities hosting them. On top of this, the ERC has allocated additional 18 million from the Central Emergency Fund to support lifesaving assistance across Yemen. But the CERF and the YHF funding alone cannot fill the gap. Humanitarian appeal is only 22% funded. The gap between needs and resources is widening precisely as crisis grows. Aid organizations are already making difficult decisions, which needs to cover and which communities to drop. The immediate cost of underfunding is clear. Fewer clinics operating, fewer children receiving nutrition treatment, fewer families receiving food, fewer women accessing maternal health care, and ultimately, more preventable deaths. Without adequate response, the crisis will deepen, the recovery will be harder and more costly, and the ability of families to withstand even a small future shocks is eroded. Their security is under great threat and the chances of building a future becomes even more remote. Madam President, in addition to the lack of funding, the humanitarian operations faces other obstacles. This month sees continued arbitrary detention of 72 United Nation colleagues and ongoing concern about the safety of our staff. The consequences for this are profound. Needs are acute in many areas, while unsafe operating environment, along with funding shortages, have sharpened and reduced humanitarian reach. I welcomed the release of one United Nations staff member last week. I joined the Secretary-General in calling for release of all detained UN personnel and other humanitarian workers in Yemen. Madam President, my appeals are straightforward. First, all parties must protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including health facilities and schools. Ambulances and medics must be able to reach and care for the injured, the sick without impediment or harm. There must be adherence to international humanitarian law. Second, humanitarian access must be safe, rapid and unimpeded. The limited emergency supplies available on the ground must not be delayed or prevented from reaching people in need. Open the roads, let humanitarians do their job and let people receive much-needed relief. Third, donors must urgently unlock flexible and predictable funding. We must respond to new displacements while sustaining lifesaving services elsewhere, including through the Yemeni Humanitarian Fund. Finally, efforts on political solutions will be important. Further fighting will cause further humanitarian consequences, it will displace more people and further restrict humanitarian access. The people of Yemen need more than our concern and our outrage. They need our collective action, our concrete support and an unwavering commitment to deliver. I thank you.

I thank Mr. Yahap for his briefing and I now give the floor to Ms. Inger Ascheim.

Thank you, Madam President, members of the Security Council. This past July in Yemen, I sat opposite Mohammed, a teenage boy in a temporary learning center run by Save the Children. Every day, he traveled miles to be there. School is a place where he sees his friends, he learns, he plays. Mohammed is articulate and engaging. He quizzes me about books on leadership. He even recommends some books on his own. Yet every year, Mohammed told me, he fails his exams, deliberately. He does this because if he passes, he will have to leave school. And outside school, he fears an uncertain future, to be caught up in conflict or undertake dangerous work. For many girls, it can mean child marriage. For too many children in Yemen, Conflict has turned education from a pathway to opportunity into a refuge from danger. Yemen is a country of tremendous vibrance and hope. This latest escalation risks reversing its fragile recovery. The country faces a deadly convergence of conflict, displacement, economic decline, and a surge in infectious and waterborne diseases, including measles, acute watery diarrhea and cholera, made worse by heavy rains and flash floods. And as always, children are paying the highest price. Madam President, children are at disproportionate risk of explosive weapons. They are seven times more likely to die from blast injuries than adults. In Yemen, I met Othman, who is 16. Conflict displaced his family and from the age of 12, he left school to collect scrap metal to support them. One day, an unexploited ordinance hidden in the scrap detonated. Otman woke up in the hospital seven days later with his leg amputated. Today, he's learning to walk with a prosthetic limb and receives psychosocial support from Save the Children. His experience is a reminder that the consequences of conflict endure long after the headlines fade. While the world focuses on recent escalation, we must not forget nor neglect the legacy of many years of conflict in Yemen. What we are witnessing today is not a new crisis replacing an old one. It is another layer of suffering being added to the one of the world's longest and most complex humanitarian crises. The danger is that the latest escalation pushes already exhausted families and services beyond their capacity to cope. Years of humanitarian investment and fragile recovery gains can be lost far more quickly than they were built. The protection of children is not a humanitarian aspiration. It is a legal obligation. Whether children are protected from attack, recruitment, displacement and deprivation will be dependent on the action taken by parties and on the influence exercised by Member States represented around this table. Excellencies, displacements are not occurring neatly into organized sites. Families are moving into communities already struggling with food insecurity, weak basic services and limited livelihood opportunities. Health facilities and schools have been damaged, destroyed or forced to close. Families have been separated. As conflict and repeated displacements disrupt family life, education and continuity of care, children face increasingly complex protection risks and deep psychological distress. Amidst bombings, violence and displacement, children bear witness to events they struggle to process. This loss to a child's learning or sense of safety in the world will have lifelong impacts for many. Every additional shock creates new emergency needs while further eroding the ability of households, communities and public services to recover from the previous ones. This latest escalation comes on top of years of humanitarian crisis. For many families, there are no remaining coping mechanisms to absorb another shock. Even before this escalation, 2.2 million children aged under five were acute malnourished in Yemen, including 500 children suffering from life-threatening severe acute malnutrition. These children require urgent nutrition support. care in their communities, or hospitalization. Our teams now take calls every day from injured children and their families who need help. Children are being hit as they flee to find safety. Save the Children have been among the first to provide medical care for children with blast injuries sustained since the escalation, including shrapnel wounds to the eyes, abdominal wounds, broken limbs, and head injuries. Some have not survived. Parents tell us that they are terrified of what comes next. Without food, clean water, health care, or the certainty of a safe place to sleep. While aid organizations are working to provide life-saving support, insecurity and access constraints are making it harder for civilians to reach desperately needed aid. My own colleagues are displaced with their families, yet continuing working. Disruption to shipping through the Straits of Hormuz will have driven up food and fuel prices in a country that imports most of what its population eats. Global humanitarian supply chains have been disrupted. Additional impact on Red Sea maritime insecurity are already posing more risks to supply chains and fuel availability. So many of the children I met in July were already stretched to the brink, and we fear that the latest escalation will leave them without nothing in reserve. Excellencies, without urgent action, more children will be pushed deeper into hardship, with lasting consequences for their survival, learning, and protection. The scale of need is immense, but the priorities are clear. Children in Yemen require the following: First, protection. Members of the Security Council should use their political influence to ensure all parties uphold international humanitarian law, prevent grave violations against children and protect civilian infrastructure. Parties should apply a child-sensitive lens in how they interpret international humanitarian law. This means ensuring children's specific vulnerabilities are explicitly accounted for in weapons targeting and operational planning. Second, sustain life-saving assistance and the systems that people depend upon. We call on donors to provide flexible and sustainable funding so that education, health, and other key services can continue to function while responding to the new escalation. Third, ensure aid reaches children wherever they are. All parties should guarantee the safety, security, and freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel. especially Yemeni national staff, and facilitate full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to people in need, without interference or arbitrary detention. Member States should apply comprehensive humanitarian exceptions to all sanctions and counter-terror regimes so that no child is denied aid. Madam President, Yemen is more than the headlines of war. The children I met were articulate, witty and hopeful. Throughout my visit, they spoke not only about what they have lost, but about what they hope to become, teachers, engineers, doctors, and community leaders. Their aspirations have survived this conflict. The question is whether our actions will help them realize it. They are not asking for special treatment. Like children everywhere, they want the chance to learn, to play, and build a future in safety. They do not lack resilience or ambition. What they lack is the protection and opportunity that only political action can provide. When I think of Yemen today, I think of Mohammed, a boy who feels safer in failing an exam than passing it. No child should have to make that choice. The decision taken by this Council will help determine whether Yemen's children inherit another generation of conflict or the opportunity to build a different future. We urge all Member States and this Council to act and to use your influence to protect children, uphold international humanitarian law, and prevent this crisis from deepening further. The cost of inaction will be measured not only in the lives lost today, but in the opportunities lost in an entire generation of Yemeni children. I thank you.

I thank Ms Ashing for her briefing. I now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements. I give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom.

Thank you, Madam President, and I thank Special Envoy Grunberg, Assistant Secretary-General Yahya, and the CEO of Save the Children International for their briefings. I also welcome the representatives of Yemen and Saudi Arabia to this meeting. First, the United Kingdom unequivocally condemns the Houthis' dangerous escalation in Yemen. Their recent offensive has intensified the conflict, increased civilian suffering, and pushed the prospect of peace further out of reach. In Taiz city, Houthi forces continue to besiege civilians and threaten vital supply routes, placing further strain on an already fragile health system. This is yet another example of the reckless disregard for the wellbeing of the Yemeni people. The Houthis' attacks on shipping, civilians and critical infrastructure pose a serious threat to regional security, maritime shipping and global energy security. Let me extend the United Kingdom's condolences to Saudi Arabia for the attacks against the Abha and King Khaled international airports. The United Kingdom stands with the government of Yemen and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of these attacks, and we reaffirm the right to defend their security and sovereignty in accordance with international law. Coming on top of months of Iranian attacks, including against commercial shipping in the Straits of Hormuz, the Houthis' actions risk further destabilising an already volatile region. We urge the Houthis to de-escalate and return to the path of diplomacy. Second, the consequences of this escalation are being felt first and most acutely by ordinary Yemenis. Since fighting intensified in September, the latest escalation is worsening an already catastrophic humanitarian situation. 479 civilians have been killed or injured, and more than 200,000 people have been forced to flee from their homes. Many have fled to communities already struggling to cope. UNICEF reports that 300 primary healthcare clinics have been affected, restricting access to life-saving care, including nutrition and vaccination support. As ever, women and girls are disproportionately affected, with UNFPA reporting several instances of pregnant women being forced to give birth on the roadside. We must do more. The United Kingdom commits to support the humanitarian response through our $173 million commitment this year. We welcome the recent release of a World Food Programme member of staff, but many more remain in detention and have been separated from their families and loved ones for years. We will continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN, NGO, civil society and diplomatic mission personnel held by the Houthis, and for the full and safe and unhindered humanitarian access. Third, this escalation also demonstrates why effective international pressure on the Houthis remains essential. The Houthis are able to sustain their attacks because weapons and dual-use items continue to reach Houthi-controlled areas, in violation of this Council's decisions. Resolution 2140 established a sanctions regime to halt the flow of arms. All Member States must comply fully with its provisions. As we approach the renewal of this mandate next month, this Council must ensure that the sanctions regime remains effective, relevant and responsive to the evolving threat. President, ultimately, there is no military solution to this conflict. The United Kingdom remains steadfast in its support for Special Envoy Grunberg's efforts to secure de-escalation and to advance an inclusive political process. We urge the Houthis to choose dialogue over escalation and a political settlement over continued conflict. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the statement. And I now give the floor to the representative of Somalia.

Thank you, Madam President. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3, namely the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, and my own country, Somalia. We thank Special Envoy Gronberg and ASG Yahya for their comprehensive briefings. We have listened carefully to the testimony of Ms. Ashing. We also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen in today's meeting. Madam President, the A3 remains deeply concerned by the escalation of hostilities in Yemen and its broader regional implications. Recent developments risk reversing the relative calm achieved following the 2022 United Nations mediated truce and further undermining the prospects for a negotiated settlement. The expansion of fighting, including attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the commercial shippings, as well as the deterioration of the humanitarian conditions require our urgent and sustained attention. Against this backdrop, we would like to make the following points. On the political front, the A3 reiterate that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Yemen. We reaffirm our full support for the special envoys, good offices, and for an inclusive Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process under the United Nations auspices. We further underscore that full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of women must be ensured at every stage of the political process. Any lasting settlement must uphold the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Yemen. We encourage regional and international actors with influence over the parties to exert all efforts in de-escalation, dialogue, and confidence-building measures. On the security situation, we are deeply concerned by the intensification of fighting around Taiz and other populated areas. The A3 calls upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from further escalation. We condemn the recent Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including attacks affecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. We also express grave concern regarding attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Such attacks threaten regional security, international navigation, and global commerce. International law, including freedom of navigation, must be fully respected. We reiterate that Yemen, must not become an arena for regional confrontation, proxy warfare, or the settling of disputes originating beyond its borders. On the humanitarian situation, the A3 are deeply alarmed by the rising number of civilian casualties and the displacement of approximately 200,000 people since early August. including 120,000 requiring emergency assistance. We are also concerned that thousands of Yemenis have crossed into Somalia and Djibouti, placing additional pressure on already limited humanitarian and reception capacities. Furthermore, reports of more than 2.2 million children under the age of five are acutely malnourished, including half a million severely malnourished, and conditions faced by the mothers are also deeply concerning. We call on the international community and donors to redouble their efforts and support for Yemen's humanitarian response and for neighboring countries receiving those fleeing the violence. The A3 stresses that safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access must be facilitated throughout Yemen. Humanitarian and United Nations personnel must never be targeted. We call on all parties to build on the momentum created from the recent UN-brokered agreement and reiterate our call for the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those detained. We remind that humanitarian workers are protected under relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the UN staff enjoy privileges and immunities. Humanitarian and United Nations personnel must be able to carry out their work independently, safely, and without intimidation or interference. Madam President, to conclude, the people of Yemen have endured conflict, displacement, hunger, and uncertainty for too long. Their legitimate aspirations for peace, security, dignity, and development must remain at the center of this Council's efforts. The A3 stands in solidarity with the people of Yemen and reaffirm their unwavering support for an inclusive political settlement that preserves Yemen's unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. We will continue to support the Special Envoy and all credible efforts aimed at ending hostilities, alleviating civilian suffering, and secure and just, comprehensive, and lasting peace for Yemen. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Somalia for the statement and give the floor to the representative of the United States.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you to Special Envoy Grunberg, Mr. Yahya, and Ms. Ashing for your briefings. The United States is gravely concerned by the continued escalation by the terrorist Houthis. We strongly condemn Houthi attacks against civilian infrastructure and airports, which have resulted in fatalities and injuries, including most recently the Houthi missile strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. These outrageous attacks reflect a broader pattern of deplorable Houthi behavior and blatant disregard for civilian life. The Houthis have intensified attacks on critical energy infrastructure, including claimed strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities that threaten global energy security and economic stability far beyond the region. The pattern remains unmistakable. The Houthis act as instruments of Tehran to threaten freedom of navigation, undermine regional stability, and terrorize innocent civilians. We demand that the Houthis cease their attacks against the legitimate governments of Yemen and Saudi Arabia, and we demand that Iran cease all support to the Houthis. In the face of the Houthi threat, the United States stands firmly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of Yemen as they defend their sovereignty and work to restore stability. The Houthis also rely on a flow of dual-use components and precursor chemicals. When this Council renews the Yemen sanctions regime in mid-November, it must act on the Panel of Experts' long-standing recommendations to take steps to cut off the flow of these items to the Houthis. Turning to the humanitarian situation, we are concerned by the Houthis' role in the mounting civilian atrocities. Months before their recent aggressive activity, the Houthis closed humanitarian space through harassment of aid agencies and detention of humanitarian workers. October 19th will mark the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the Houthi detention of U.S. Embassy staff in Sana'a, an act of calculated cruelty. We reiterate our demand for the immediate and unconditional release of unjustly detained U.N. and U.S. Embassy staff. Going forward, the United States calls on the Security Council to press for full implementation of Resolutions 2140 and 2216 and to hold Iran accountable. The United States will continue working with our partners to counter the Houthi threat, defend our navigational rights and freedoms, and support long-term regional stability. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the United States for the statement. I give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

Thank you, Madam President. Colombia's position on Yemen is grounded in the defense of international law, international humanitarian law, multilateralism, and the central role that it plays vis-a-vis the United Nations Charter. We must remember that the regime sanctions on the UD is being violated systematically. And this is something that we must remember when it comes to the session in November. Resolution 2022/16 and 21/40 clearly states that it is prohibited for these organizations to receive weapons. And now we hear also the proposal for chemicals. This is part of the conflict. the ability of the proxies and terrorist organizations to stay in combat and cause damage and human sufferings across the country and soon it seems the region. We must not forget that the attack yesterday was near Qatar, not just Saudi Arabia. So the exponential risk of escalation is there and the Security Council must be aware of the situation. We also thank the reports and the briefs of Mr. Grunberg, Mr. Yahya, and Mr. Ashen. This one clearly strikes a very important situation because it shows another conflict within the conflict, the conflict of refugees, but special, perhaps the most weakest equation of the protection here are the children.

Senora Presidente, Madam President, for Colombia there is a particular clear concern and that is that of the 170,000 displaced, very many are children, and this is an urgent call for protection of some of those that are the least protected in the world, and they have protections under international humanitarian law. We'd also like to draw attention to the number of refugees that are crossing the border towards Somalia, a country that has reached its resource limits in addressing this crisis. We are talking about a humanitarian crisis that is probably going to become one of the greatest humanitarian crises of this century as the conflict develops. It has 35 million inhabitants and 22 million of them have urgent needs for food assistance. And I think that being the case, the Security Council should issue a joint call to all donors not just to maintain the current donations, but to redouble their efforts. Hunger cannot be postponed. And there's a reason why in international law, the principle of humanity is different from the principle of necessity and proportionality. This principle of humanity dictates that each and every member of the Security Council conduct bilateral and diplomatic efforts to separate the two conflicts that exist in Yemen: the political conflict, the military situation, and, of course, the situation of the violation of the sovereignty of a state. Colombia is firm in its support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the legitimate government of Yemen, and we condemn the terrorist activities of the Houthis and also the actions coming from Iran that are affecting the geopolitical situation. However, Colombia draws a distinction There is a humanitarian situation unprecedented in scale for the country that is going to have repercussions for the international system. And therefore, we call upon all donors to redouble their efforts. Hunger cannot be dealt with tomorrow. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Colombia for their statement.

Go to the representative of Latvia.

Thank you, Madam President. Let me begin by thanking Special Envoy Hans Groenberg, Assistant Secretary-General Mohammed Yahya, and Ms. Inger Osheng, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children International, for their briefings exposing the gravity of the situation. I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen and Saudi Arabia to today's meeting. Madam President, Glafy is deeply alarmed by the enduring conflict in and around Yemen and its widening impact across the region. In recent months, the crisis has become increasingly embedded in broader regional tensions, creating a mutually reinforcing cycle in which developments in Yemen and across the region increasingly impact one another. The collapse of the 2022 truce and the return to full-scale war, has deepened Yemen's crisis, inflicted further suffering on civilians, and undone the fragile progress achieved in recent years. Furthermore, we condemn the Houthis' attacks against Saudi Arabia, including on airports and other civilian targets, as recently as yesterday. We call for an immediate end to these attacks by the Houthis, and we continue to stand in solidarity with the Government of Yemen and Saudi Arabia. and affirm their right to defend their territory and population in accordance with international law. At the same time, Latvia supports sustained international efforts to contain the escalation, reverse the current trajectory of renewed warfare, and restore conditions for a Yemeni-led political settlement. And Latvia reiterates, international humanitarian law is a legal obligation and must be upheld by all parties at all times. threats to the safety of seafarers and maritime security remain a matter of grave concern. Freedom of navigation is not negotiable and must be protected in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions and international law, including UNCLOS. Attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are unacceptable and must cease immediately. The continued flow of weapons and Iran's disruptive support to the Houthis is contributing to the expansion of hostilities and drawing an ever wider geography into the conflict. Ensuring the full implementation of the Security Council Resolution 2140 and arms embargo remain critical. And for the Security Council decisions to have meaningful impact on the ground, they must be fully respected and enforced rigorously and collectively. Madam President, as we just heard, the renewed violence is exacting a devastating human toll, and the humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating. The government of Yemen has warned that some areas could face a complete loss of health services, while the country lacks the resources and capacity to absorb further waves of displacement, putting already vulnerable population, especially children, at even greater risk. The international community must step up support for Yemen's humanitarian response and help ensure the vital services remain available to those in need. And in this regard, I would like to highlight the leading contribution of the European Union and its member states, which continue to play a vital role in addressing Yemen's humanitarian needs. At the same time, humanitarian access to Houthi's controlled areas remain a major challenge. severely limiting the ability of the international community to reach people in need. The continued detention of United Nations personnel, as well as humanitarian, civil society and diplomatic personnel, is a blatant obstruction of humanitarian action and international engagement. Latvia reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained UN, humanitarian, civil society and diplomatic personnel. In this context, it is also important to stress that United Nations staff and other humanitarian personnel did not leave Houthi-controlled areas of their own accord, but were subject to pressure from the Houthis to do so. This demonstrates a troubling disregard for the needs and well-being of the very people they claim to represent, their fellow Yemenis. Latvia expresses its support and solidarity with the very few civil society organizations that still continue to operate in Houthi-controlled areas under exceptionally difficult circumstances. Madam President, the renewed fighting represents a serious setback to efforts to resolve Yemen's conflict. There is no military solution to the conflict, and the current situation only reinforces the urgent need to pursue a political solution as soon as the conditions allow. Latvia remains firmly committed to Yemen's unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and we also continue to support the crucial work of Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and his efforts to bring the parties back to the dialogue. Above all, Our collective efforts must remain focused on the people of Yemen and on their right to peace, security, and stable future. And the Council must therefore mobilize, give the situation its maximum attention, and remain ready to act swiftly and decisively in support of this objective. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Latvia, and I give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

Madam President, we thank the Special Envoy, Hans von Berg, Assistant Secretary-General Mohammed Yakhia, and to Inger Asche. We thank them for their briefings. Recently, the situation in Yemen and around it has noticeably worsened. There has been a significant deterioration of the situation along the entire line of contact. The ceasefire, which had in fact been observed by the Yemeni protagonists since October 2022, even without its formal extension, is no longer in effect. The current round of the military-political crisis in the country is the most serious one in the last five years. The official Yemeni authorities and the Ansar Allah movement exchange strikes on a daily basis using artillery, armored vehicles, and UAVs. Particularly brutal clashes are taking place along the coastline in the province of Taiz, where the parties are fighting for control over the provincial center of the same name, as well as the coastal city of Dubab. At the same time, there are daily raids on Ansar Allah positions in the northern regions of the country. Moreover, the Yemeni conflict is becoming more and more regional. This is due to the systematic strikes by the Houthis on targets in Saudi Arabia, which are carried out not only in the border areas, but also in other areas, including the capital, Riyadh. Strikes on Saudi airports and energy infrastructure, unfortunately, entail human casualties. The escalation of tensions in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which are of particular importance for world trade, is also extremely worrying. It is sad that as a result of these events, international commercial shipping is suffering, and the existing transport and logistical routes are being disrupted. We have consistently advocated the need to ensure the safety and freedom of maritime navigation and the uninterrupted operation of all strategic waterways. However, the maritime commercial traffic through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait still is affected by this to a lesser extent. It remains, albeit in a smaller volume. Madam President, the situation in Yemen is close to catastrophic. In such circumstances, do not see much -- the situation is critical. It needs to be urgently rectified by all parties. We call on all parties to maximum restraint, stopping violence as soon as possible, and moving on to talks. We like to separately emphasize the need to refrain from massive strikes on civilian infrastructure, including international airports in Aden, Riyadh, and Sana'a. These airports play a crucial humanitarian and commercial role, including for vulnerable civilians. In addition, It is regrettable that some parties to the conflict at this stage reject the political and diplomatic track, which is aimed at de-escalation. We urge them to approach this issue in a balanced and realistic manner. It should be clear to everyone that there is simply no alternative to negotiations in the future, and an attempt to resolve the Yemeni crisis by force is fraught with having the entire country and the surrounding region sliding into chaos. The primary task of the Security Council members and the international community now is to prevent the expansion of confrontation and prevent the drawing of new parties into it. A solution to the existing problems should be sought by launching a constructive inter-Yemeni dialogue based on the settlement roadmap. This is a balanced document which, even with some improvements put into it, could well form the basis of a UN-led political process. We also emphasize the need for coordinated multilateral efforts in the humanitarian area. The situation of ordinary people in Yemen is rapidly deteriorating, especially in the northern regions of the country. For our part, we will continue to provide all possible assistance to Special Envoy Grunberg in this matter. We will also continue intensive political and diplomatic work with interested partners in the region in the interest of de-escalating the situation in Yemen. We are ready for constructive cooperation with the official Yemeni authorities and other political forces in the country, including the Houthis, who are an integral and significant part of Yemeni society. In conclusion, we'd like to express our commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of friendly Yemen. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for the statement. I give the floor to the representative of Denmark.

Thank you, Madam President. And I would also like to start by thanking Special Envoy Grunberg, Assistant Secretary-General Yahah, and Chief Executive Officer Ashing for their briefings. Madam President, since we met a month ago, the situation in Yemen has continued to deteriorate. Denmark strongly condemns the attack by the Houthis in Yemen and against Saudi Arabia, including attacks against civilian infrastructure and threats to commercial shipping. Denmark is deeply alarmed by the intensified clashes across several of Yemen's front lines and the growing humanitarian suffering it has brought upon the Yemeni people. The Houthis bear full responsibility for this escalation, and we call on them to immediately cease all attacks. Iran's long-standing support to the Houthis enables them to continue their attacks. This not only fuels the crisis and undermines efforts to achieve peace in Yemen, but risk further destabilizing the wider region. In this context, more must be done to effectively contain the Houthis' destructive capabilities. We need to remain focused on effectively curbing illegal transfers of arms and military support to the Houthis. To this end, Denmark looks forward to the upcoming sanctions renewal next month and urge a more effective implementation. The growing ties between the Houthis and al-Shabaab are also a cause of concern. Madam President, this return to fighting is exacerbating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. More than a decade of conflict has left more than 22 million people, over half the population, in need of humanitarian assistance. Millions of Yemenis face hunger and there's limited access to basic services. As we have heard, de-escalation is inflicting unprecedented harm on the most vulnerable, with children bearing a disproportionate share of the suffering. More than 60% of the displaced people are children, 2.2 million under the age of five are acutely malnourished, and approximately 140,000 children are out of school due to forced school closures. De-escalation also further constrained the ability of aid organizations to deliver critical services. As several have mentioned this morning, more than 200,000 people have been displaced since August, and the number is growing by the day. We call for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, as well as for safe, unimpeded access so aid can reach those in need, including displaced families and the communities hosting them. The actions by the Houthis has led the UN to not be able to operate and help the Yemenis in dire need in large parts of the country. Denmark underscores the need for full adherence to international law, including international humanitarian law. We welcome the recent release of one WFP worker and reiterate our demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all personnel from the UN, NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions who have been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis. Madam President, in closing, an inclusive political process under the auspices of the UN, is the only sustainable solution to this conflict. Denmark fully supports the efforts of Special Envoy Kronberg, and we call on the Houthis to immediately halt their attacks, engage constructively, and alleviate the profound humanitarian suffering inflicted on the people of Yemen for far too long. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement. Before giving the floor to the representative of Pakistan, let me say a few words, as this is the last time that Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad will participate in a Council meeting in his capacity as Permanent Representative of Pakistan. I would like to express, and I believe on behalf of all the members of the Council, our sincere appreciation to His Excellency the Ambassador of Pakistan for his cooperation constructive engagement and contributions to the work of the Council. Dear Ambassador, dear Aseem, we wish you every success in your future endeavors.

Thank you, Madam President. And I would like to thank you in particular for your kind words addressed to me, which I believe are words addressed to my country also. And I must say that it has been a great honor representing Pakistan at the United Nations and in the Security Council. And I have had the player, and I feel so privileged to have this opportunity. to work with all of you, my dear colleagues, and to admire your commitment and deep attachment to what we all say always our collective objective, maintenance of international peace and security, primary responsibility of this Council. And let me also take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General, his senior aides in the Secretariat, and a number of special envoys, including Mr. Grynberg, and special representatives in the field, and thousands of our peacekeepers who are deployed in various missions. for their contribution to our work in the Security Council. And let's not forget the outstanding colleagues that we have in the Secretariat, the Security Council Affairs Division, and my own team for their support. I think together we have achieved a lot. Yet there are many situations and many challenges that require our collective attention and continuing work. And I think the situation in Yemen is one of those. I would like to join colleagues in thanking Special Envoy Mr. Grunberg and ASG OCHA, Mohammed Yahya, for their briefings. And we also take note of the insightful remarks by Ms. Inga Haching. Yemen's descent into conflict is deeply alarming. The escalation of hostilities, continued Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, threats to commercial shipping, fighting around ties and Bab al-Mandab, and deepening humanitarian crisis demand our urgent attention. In this context, Pakistan wishes to underscore four points. First, we strongly condemn the continued Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia. including the outrageous targeting of infrastructure in the Makkah Governorate and on the Taiba Power Distribution Station in Madinatul Munawwara. Pakistan has also strongly condemned the Houthi terrorist attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport and the Abha International Airport, which resulted in loss of lives. and injuries to civilians. We call for an immediate end of such reckless attacks that constitute a grave threat to regional peace and security. The security and sanctity of the two holy mosques must be respected at all times. As the Prime Minister of Pakistan said yesterday, and I quote, "Pakistan stands in unwavering solidarity with the leadership and people of brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In line with Mecca Joint Defense Agreement and recent decisions taken by its Strategic Political and Defense Committee, our commitment to the Kingdom's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security is resolute. We also fully support Saudi Arabia's legitimate right to defend its people and protect its cities and vital infrastructure. The Houthi militia must immediately cease these attacks. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia in the face of these attacks." Second, Pakistan reaffirmed its support for Yemen's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity and its internationally recognized government. The intensifying Houthi offensive along Yemen's western coast and around Bab al-Mandeb underscores the urgency of protecting maritime security. Houthis must cease attacks on commercial shipping. Freedom of navigation must be upheld in accordance with international law. These vital waterways cannot remain exposed to attacks that endanger seafarers, disrupt trade, and compound global economic hardship. Third, Pakistan supports Special Envoy Grunberg's efforts, including his recent engagements. All diplomatic channels must be used to contain escalation, maintain communication, and facilitate a cessation of hostilities. And we support the special envoy's mediation role and his call for political strategies. These efforts should restore a credible, inclusive, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process under United Nations auspices. Fourth, civilians must be protected. Renewed fighting is causing deterioration of humanitarian situation. The offensive around Taiz and the attack by Houthi elements on Aden airport further underscore the vulnerability of civilian populations and essential infrastructure. Rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access, protection of civilian infrastructure, and adequate funding for relief operations are indispensable. Food, fuel, and essential commercial supplies must reach all those in need. We also reiterate our call for the immediate, unconditional, and safe release of detained United Nations humanitarian and diplomatic personnel. Madam President, the Council must act with unity and purpose to halt Houthi attacks, safeguard regional security, alleviate suffering, and restore a credible path toward a political settlement. Pakistan stands with the Yemeni people, support efforts toward a peaceful, stable, and united Yemen, and will continue to make every effort to advance lasting peace and stability in the region. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Pakistan, and I give the floor to the representative of Panama.

Thank you, Madam President. We thank the Special Envoy for Yemen, Mr. Hans Groenberg, the Assistant Secretary-General, Mr. Mohamed Yahya, and Inge Aschen, Executive Director, for their valuable briefings. We also extend a warm welcome to the representative of Yemen and the representative of Saudi Arabia, who honour us today with their presence at this meeting. Madam President, The situation in Yemen continues to worsen, despite the efforts of this Organization to reduce violence and promote a peaceful solution to the conflict. The 2022 truce demonstrated that dialogue and diplomacy can create opportunities for peace. However, the progress achieved remains fragile, and the Yemeni population continues to face one of the world's most protracted humanitarian crises. We are particularly concerned about developments in the security situation in Yemen, including the activities of the Houthis and their potential repercussions for maritime security in the region. The possibility of new attacks against commercial ships and vessels represents a threat not only to the safety of international navigation, but also to the stability of trade routes and global supply chains. A new disruption of these routes could have repercussions extending beyond Yemen's borders, with implications for international trade, economic stability, and food and energy security, particularly for the most vulnerable countries and populations. Madam President, beyond developing events on the ground in the conflict, our attention must be directed to the civilian population, which continues to suffer its most severe consequences. Currently, more than 200,000 people have been forced to leave their homes as a result of the recent escalation of fighting in Yemen, according to the most recent data from the International Organization for Migration. The number of those displaced is increasing every day, as well as the humanitarian needs. Children, girls and boys are amongst the most affected by this crisis, which continues to undermine their safety, their well-being and their access to essential services. In the light of this situation, and whilst efforts continue to find an inclusive political solution for Yemen, humanitarian assistance must remain a priority in the face of the challenges on the ground. However, because of a lack of funding, which limits the scope of the response, and the serious access and security difficulties caused by the actions of the Houthis, including threats and arbitrary detention of humanitarian personnel, as well as incursions into United Nations facilities, the situation is not easy. These actions restrict the organization's ability to fully carry out its functions. And what's even more concerning, this places additional pressure on a Yemeni population that depends on this assistance. In this regard, we welcome the news of the release of one humanitarian worker. However, this is not enough. 72 United Nations personnel remain arbitrarily detained. We therefore reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons who are being arbitrarily detained. Madam President, our attention must remain focused on Yemen because the longer this conflict continues, the greater the consequences will be for the population and the greater will be the humanitarian needs. We must therefore redouble our efforts to advance toward an inclusive and lasting political solution led by the Yemenis themselves, that responds to the needs and aspirations of their people. Thank you very much, Madam President.

I thank the representative of Panama for her statement.

Representative of Bahrain.

Madam President, Allow me to thank Mr. Grunberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, as well as Mr. Mohamed Yahya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, as well as Ms. Inga Asching of Save the Children International. I thank them for their valuable briefings. I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the brotherly Republic of Yemen, His Excellency Ambassador Abdullah Al-Sadi, and I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Bahrain strongly condemns the attacks by the terrorist Houthi group against cities and governorates of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Bahrain stresses that targeting sacred Islamic sites, most recently the attack on the Taiba electricity station serving the Prophet's mosque in the holy city of Medina, following the attack on the holy city of Mecca on the 15th of September, these attacks are not merely an act of aggression against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but a violation of the sanctity of the two holy sites, the two holy mosques, and an affront to the holy sites of one and a half billion Muslims. The Kingdom of Bahrain also strongly condemns the continued Houthi escalation inside the sisterly Republic of Yemen in violation of the ceasefire. According to the International Organization for Migration, this escalation has displaced more than 145,000 people who are facing harsh humanitarian conditions amid shortages of food and healthcare. Bahrain further notes the warning by the World Health Organization, the WHO, that this escalation is pushing the health system to the brink of collapse and increasing the risk of epidemics among displaced persons, including cholera. The violations committed by the Houthis aimed at terrorizing the brotherly Yemeni people, their repeated attacks on the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as their grave threats to maritime security in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea, constitute a blatant violation of international law and Security Council Resolution 2722. These hostile practices represent a threat to international peace and security, reflecting a continuing pattern of recourse to violence and destabilization of regional security and stability. The Kingdom of Bahrain also condemns the deliberate targeting by the terrorist Houthi group of civilian airports in Najran, Jizan, Abha and Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. as well as Aden Airport in the Republic of Yemen, also a brotherly country, through ballistic missiles and drones. These criminal attacks are targeting vital civilian infrastructure and endangering the lives of travelers, workers, and flight crews, underscoring the Houthi's continued terrorist approach of targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure and threatening the safety and security of air navigation. The Kingdom of Bahrain reaffirms its full solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its support for Saudi Arabia's right to defend its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity in accordance with the UN Charter. Bahrain also renews its support for the legitimate Yemeni government and its efforts to restore state institutions, extend its authority throughout the country and preserve security and stability in Yemen. In this context, the Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes the restoration of control over Bab al-Mandab and the strategic sites surrounding it, carried out by the legitimate Yemeni government. We commend the efforts undertaken by the Yemeni government to strengthen security in this vital maritime passage and to re-establish state authority there. At the same time, Bahrain emphasizes that this important development does not eliminate the ongoing threats posed by the terrorist Houthi group to the safety and security of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, given its continued possession and use of missiles, drones, explosive-laden boats, and naval mines. It's therefore essential to continue and intensify regional and international efforts to address these threats comprehensively and in a sustainable manner, and to limit the group's ability to threaten ships, maritime routes and international trade. Madam President, the press statement issued by this Council on the 18th of September reflected the unity of its members in strongly condemning the aggression of the terrorist Houthi group. I would remind the Council that this is the third press statement issued this year condemning Houthi criminality. The important question that must be answered is the following: when will the Security Council move beyond condemnations the echoes of which quickly fade, to practical measures that will have a visible impact on maintaining peace and security inside Yemen and throughout its regional environment. And for how long will this terrorist group continue to move from one violation to another, blatantly disregarding all international norms, laws and resolutions? The upcoming review of the sanctions regime. provides the Council with an opportunity to translate words into action. I call on all Council members to work constructively towards strengthening these sanctions and to closing off avenues through which the Houthis obtain weapons and their components. In conclusion, the Kingdom of Bahrain renews its support for the legitimate Yemeni Government and for the commendable efforts of the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Mr. Hans Groenberg, to reduce escalation and revive the political process, leading to a comprehensive Yemeni-led settlement that preserves Yemen's unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, which alleviates the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people and guarantees their right to security, peace and a dignified life. Thank you, Madam President.

Bahrain, for the statement. I give the floor to the representative of France.

Madam President, I would like to thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Hans Grundberg, the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Mohamed Yahya, and the Chief Executive for Save the Children International, Ms. Inger Ascheing. We thank them for their respective briefings. I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representatives of Yemen and Saudi Arabia in this meeting. France condemns in the strongest possible terms the military escalation led by the Houthis in Yemen and against the territory of Saudi Arabia. Their repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure, including Saudi airports, have claimed new victims. These attacks are destabilizing the region and worsening the suffering of the people. Nothing can justify such strikes. France calls for full respect for international humanitarian law in all circumstances and reaffirms its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni authorities. It stands by the legitimate Yemeni government, the sole custodian of state authority, in its efforts to restore its sovereignty over all Yemeni territory. Madam President, this headlong rush initiated by the Houthis since the summer, is their sole responsibility. After seizing the Red Sea coastline by force, the Houthis are continuing their offensive, particularly around Taiz, where several million inhabitants live surrounded. The Houthis must immediately cease their attacks in Yemen, as well as against neighboring countries, and lift the encirclement of Taiz. Their offensive also threatens, beyond Yemen, one of the world's main maritime routes. This Council must remain firm on one principle, namely, that freedom of navigation is not negotiable. No one can arrogate to itself the right to control the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in violation of international law and Resolution 2722 of this Council. France will continue its commitment to the European operation EUNAVFOR ASPAS in a strictly defensive posture. And we can't ignore the fact that the Houthis could not carry out such a campaign without the support of Iran, which is arming them in violation of the embargo established by Resolution 2216. Tehran must put an end to it. Madam President, The civilian population is paying the price for this fighting. More than 200,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of September, and thousands have fled to Djibouti and Somalia. Cholera and measles are on the rise, while the humanitarian appeal is only 22 percent funded. The Houthis must ensure unhindered humanitarian access and immediately and unconditionally release all of UN personnel, all of the NGO and diplomatic mission staff they arbitrarily detain. We welcome, obviously, the release of a WFP staff member on 5 October, but this doesn't change anything as regards the situation where 72 other people still remain detained. And finally, We condemn the Houthis' mass recruitment of child soldiers, in violation of the action plan they signed with the UN in 2022. This unacceptable practice must end immediately. Madam President, In the face of this crisis, the path forward is well known. First, an immediate halt to the Houthi offensives, and, ultimately, the resumption of an inclusive political process under the aegis of the United Nations, involving the entire Yemeni society. France fully and strongly supports the efforts of Special Envoy Hans Grundberg to move forward in this direction. And we encourage him to continue along this path and call on the parties to commit themselves to, without delay, favoring the path of negotiations. I thank you.

I thank the representative of France for their statement.

Give the floor to the representative of China.

Thank you, President. I thank Special Envoy Grunberg and ASG Yahya for their briefings. I listened attentively to the remarks by Ms. Ashing, civil society representative, for her remarks as well. I welcome permanent representatives of Yemen and Saudi Arabia at today's meeting. Since September, the ground situation in Yemen has undergone significant and changes. Parties to the conflict engaged in the intense fighting on multiple fronts along Yemen's west coast, Taiz, Marib, and Lahj. The battlefields have entered into a new stage of intense confrontation. The conflict has resulted in over 4,000 casualties and displaced about 200,000 people. The adverse spillover effect is accelerating its spread to about -- and countries in that region. The Yemeni situation has come to a critical juncture. The international community should find a viable way out of the current predicament. To this end, China proposes the following: First, early push for de-escalation. China calls on all relevant parties to exercise restraint and avoid further provocations that may trigger expansion and escalation of hostilities. We encourage both parties to the Yemeni conflict to communicate through the UN Military Coordination Committee mechanism to avoid miscalculations. We support regional countries in using their special influence to promote peace talks and push for de-escalation. Second, early return to the track of political solution. The current round of conflicts is not unavoidable. Resorting to force is not the right approach. Political settlement is the long-term remedy. The sooner negotiations begin, the sooner peace may arrive. China supports parties to the conflict in working out their differences through communication and dialogue so as to create necessary conditions for relaunching negotiations. The special envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen has important mission of good offices and mediation. China calls on all parties to support the special envoy in fulfilling his mission and playing his due role in accordance with mandate. The international community universally recognizes the legitimate Yemeni government and the sovereignty, safety, and territorial integrity of Yemen and Saudi Arabia must be respected. Third, firm adherence to fundamental principles of international law. No conflicts should come at the expense of lives and properties of innocent civilians. China condemns all indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non-military targets. Attacks on airports and energy infrastructures vital to civilian livelihoods are unacceptable. We urge relevant parties to abide by international humanitarian law, take necessary measures to prevent attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure. All parties have an obligation to respect the navigation rights of commercial vessels from all countries under the international law. We also urge the international community to continue providing emergency humanitarian assistance to Yemen to address the worsening humanitarian situation caused by the conflict. President, The Yemeni issue has dragged on for over a decade now. It is closely linked to other issues in the region. To thoroughly resolve the conflict in Yemen, it must be considered within the broader context of the overall situation in the Middle East. The conflict within Yemen, maritime navigation safety, Yemen's relations with regional countries are the three key aspects of the Yemeni issues. They are interrelated, affect one another. They must be considered holistically and addressed in a coordinated manner. Not long ago, President Xi Jinping put forward a four-point initiative to promote common security in the Middle East. He called for advancing comprehensive governance of regional common security and supported regional countries in exploring to build a new security architecture for the Middle East, thereby providing new insights for resolving regional hotspot issues, including the Yemeni issue. China will continue to engage and communicate with all relevant parties, promote peace talks in our own way, and play a constructive role in advancing for a political solution to the Yemeni issue and restoring lasting peace in the region. Thank you, President.

I thank the representative of China. for the statement. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Greece. I would like to thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, Assistant Secretary General of Humanitarian Affairs, Mohammed Yehia, and the CEO of Save the Children International, Inger Ascheim, for their briefings. I also welcome the Permanent Representatives of Yemen and Saudi Arabia in today's meeting. Greece is deeply concerned by the continuation of military activity and the renewed escalation in and around Yemen and the Red Sea region. We condemn the Houthis' pursuit of military confrontation, including ongoing attacks against Saudi Arabia, civilian sites, and critical energy infrastructure. The most recent ballistic missile and drone strikes against international airports in Riyadh and Aden pose a severe threat to aviation security. Such attacks are unacceptable and risk further destabilizing Yemen and the wider region. We stand with Saudi Arabia and the Government of Yemen in upholding their sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be targets. The number of casualties among the civilian population, including children, is alarming. The protection of civilian life remains an absolute priority, and all parties must comply fully with their obligations under international humanitarian law. There is no substitute for a political solution. Violence will only deepen Yemen's crisis, increase human suffering, and further undermine regional stability. The objective for a Yemeni-owned, Yemeni-led, and inclusive peace process under the UN auspices in respect of Yemen's sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and political unity needs to be preserved. Greece commends UN Special Envoy's continued engagement towards achieving this objective by keeping channels of communication open and sustaining the prospect of peace process. We encourage all parties and regional partners to engage constructively with these efforts. And I must underline that maritime security in the Red Sea, including Bab al-Mandab and Gulf of Aden, is equally important and cannot be separated from the broader political process in Yemen. We condemn in the strongest terms Houthi attacks against commercial vessels and call for the full respect of freedom of navigation and the unimpeded passage of international shipping. International maritime routes must remain open, safe, and secure. Restoring confidence and trust in these waters is essential not only for regional stability, but also for global trade, food, and energy security. Greece will continue its commitment through the EU naval operation Aspides to safeguarding freedom of navigation and protecting commercial vessels in accordance with international law and in full compliance and respect of its defensive mandate. Yemen must not be allowed to slide further into what has become one of the world's gravest humanitarian crises. The growing number of IDPs, particularly children, demands urgent attention. As we have heard, displacement, food insecurity and limited access to essential health services are placing children at heightened risk of acute malnutrition and preventable diseases, including cholera and measles. The disruption of education is further compounding their vulnerability, with millions of children deprived of safe and continuous learning opportunities. Particular concern is warranted regarding the recruitment and use of children by the Houthis. Humanitarian assistance must reach those in need safely and without obstruction, with humanitarian personnel guaranteed secure and unimpeded access. Although we welcome the release of one UN staff member, at the same time we reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all 72 UN staff, diplomatic personnel, NGO staff, humanitarian workers, and other arbitrarily detained personnel. The message must be clear. Military escalation is not a solution. The cycle of violence must end. The objective needs to remain unchanged. A comprehensive political settlement that brings a sustainable end to the conflict and establishes the foundations for lasting peace and stability in Yemen for the benefit of the Yemeni people and the wider region. I thank you. I resume now my duties as President, and I will now give the floor to the representative of Yemen.

At the outset, Madam President, allow me to congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We wish you and your friendly delegation every luck, and we thank your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of France, for his successful presidency of the Council last month. I thank Mr. Hans Grunberg and Mr. Mohamed Yehia for their briefings. and we took note of the briefing of Ms. Inger Asching, the chief executive officer of Save the Children International. Today's session is held at a time when we are witnessing ongoing escalation from the terrorist Houthi militias, which is threatening the lives of the Yemeni people, the security of neighboring countries, the region, and one of the most important waterways in the world. Given these rapidly shifting developments at this critical point in the history of the war in Yemen, we must place these developments in their correct context. We must look at the entire picture. We must not look at the latest military developments without taking into account the root causes of this war, its evolution over the past few years. Therefore, it is necessary, before we discuss the repercussions of this escalation, to identify the unequivocal party responsible for this escalation. The Houthi militias were the ones who started this war with their armed coup against the state and national consensus over 12 years ago. They have killed every single peace initiative, and they have recently chosen to end the truce. The Yemeni government gave peace a chance every single time, and we bore a hefty humanitarian, economic, and political cost for the calm. However, the militias responded to these chances by increasing their weapons, their mobilization, their recruitment. They increased their attacks against civilians, the infrastructure within Yemen, they targeted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, they threatened commercial vessels, they tried to impose a military fait accompli in Taiz, Macha and Bab al-Mandab. The Yemeni government repeatedly warned against tolerating such behavior, which will undermine the efforts for peace and will lead to a new round of violence and will worsen the humanitarian crisis. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened. Madam President, in the face of this escalation and based on his constitutional and legal responsibility to protect the Yemeni people and the Yemeni sovereignty over Yemen's airspace, territory, and territorial water. His Excellency, Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, announced the launch of Operation Dawn of Yemen, which will be a new phase to recover state institutions to end the coup and to complete the liberation of the rest of the Yemeni territory up until our capital, Sana'a. The objective of this operation is to end the war, to recover security, stability, and peace in Yemen and the region, and to prevent this armed group from confiscating the decision of the Yemeni people and bringing them back to the fighting every time peace contradicts their interest and the interest of their Iranian backers. These operations are not a war against the people, a region, or a governorate, or a confession, or a social class. This is the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens and to make sure it is recovering its national institutions to monopolize weapons and the decision of war and peace. This is a battle between the Yemeni people, its legitimate government and institutions on the one hand, and the Iranian-backed Houthi militia on the other hand. The government remains committed to international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and with the highest degrees of discipline and while abiding by the rules of engagement to protect civilians and civilian infrastructures to prevent revenge and to guarantee a humanitarian treatment of detainees and the wounded and to investigate in any violations of these commitments and to pave the way for those who were misled by the Houthis to come back to the fold of the state and its institutions. Madam President, the humanitarian cost of this escalation uncovers true nature of the project we are facing today. The government documented the death of over 100 children during September alone. The Houthi militia continue to recruit children and to send them to the front lines. These children should be in school. They should be with their families, with their communities, and not on the battlefields. During the past few weeks, The attacks of the Houthi militias drove the displacement of thousands of Yemenis. The number of IDPs has reached over 200,000 people. Most of them have been displaced for the third and fourth time. The number of those who were displaced to Djibouti has reached 3,000. They are all in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. The Houthi attacks also targeted residential areas, markets, schools, IDP camps, and civilian objects. They've added pressure on war-ravaged communities. Yesterday, the Houthi militias targeted the international Aden airport with two ballistic missiles. One of them was dropped next to a civilian flight. This jeopardized the safety and security of travelers and flight attendants. This was a dangerous attack that brought to mind the terrorist attack that targeted the airport in 2020. At the same time, and in a blatant and reprehensible manner, the Houthi militias attacked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They've targeted airports, civilian objects, economic infrastructure. These crimes reveal once again the true nature of the Houthi militia as a terrorist group that does not hesitate to target civilians and vital institutions in order to cause confusion and distract from their violations and crimes against the Yemeni people for years to serve Iranian interests in the region without any regard for the lives of innocent people or international laws and norms. Last month, security and medical sources recorded thousands of dead and injured among misled Yemenis who were lured by the militias to serve their terrorist objectives and the objectives of the Iranian regime to destabilize the security stability of Yemen, the region, and the world. Claiming an exclusive divine right to govern cannot grant legitimacy to confiscate the will of a people. Serving an Iranian agenda in order to use Bab al-Mandab to blackmail, alongside the Strait of Hormuz, these cannot justify sacrificing the lives and future of the Yemeni people or threatening the interests of the world. The threat of the Houthis is no longer an internal Yemeni affair that can be contained within our borders. It is threatening freedom of navigation. This is not a future possibility. It is a reality that is expanding if they continue to enjoy impunity. And this threat is becoming even more dangerous as the UN has identified cooperation between the Houthi militias and al-Shabaab in Somalia to include piracy, weapons smuggling, training, logistic support. They are strengthening their ties to terrorist organizations across the bank to turn Bab al-Mandab into an arena for terrorism, smuggling, and blackmail. Therefore, the Yemeni forces, supported by the KSA-led coalition, is defending the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. Bab al-Mandab is vital for global economy and the freedom of navigation is a collective interest and therefore protecting the freedom of navigation is our Collective responsibility we call on your August Council to take a clear decision that holds houthi militia's responsibility for this escalation to implement the resolutions of this Council to take decisive practical measures to reduce funding smuggling and to end flow of weapons and technology and expertise and dual-use technology to Houthi militias, to hold accountable those who are providing the support, notably the Iranian regime, and to strengthen cooperation with the Yemeni government to combat the networks of smuggling and financing that are fueling this war. We also call for a political, economic, humanitarian, and security support to state institutions so that they can protect civilians and provide relief to IDPs. As a result of the latest escalation, they have joined the millions of Yemeni people who were displaced by this militia inside Yemen and across continents. We express our appreciation and gratitude to our brethren in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the leadership, government, and people, for standing besides the Yemeni people and their government, and for their continued support to state institutions and our economy, including a new payment to support the public budget of the state at the beginning of this month, at a time when our country is facing unprecedented humanitarian and economic challenges. This support was not only limited to defense, security, and economy. They also provided support to citizens, the Yemeni people, their dignity, and the stability of their families. The custodian of the two holy mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, responded to the request of President Rashad Mohammed Al-Alemi and took measures to regularize the residency status of Yemenis illegally residing in the Kingdom. This was an important humanitarian initiative to provide a decent life to thousands of Yemenis, and this alleviates the burden on thousands of Yemeni families. These positions truly show that the responsibility of the international community towards Yemen should not be limited to managing this crisis or responding to its security repercussions. It should also include protection to the Yemeni people, to supporting their livelihoods, and strengthening the capacities of their institutions to meet their obligations. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided a practical example for the solidarity. And we call on our partners in the international community to shoulder their responsibility and double their economic and humanitarian support to the government and to support its efforts to recover stability, to end the suffering that is worsening one day after day after day as a result of the escalation of the terrorist Houthi militias backed by Iran. In conclusion, A real peace is the peace that ends the coup and that restores the control of state institutions over our national territory to protect the rights of our citizens, to protect their freedom and dignity, so that Yemen does not become a platform to threaten regional and international peace and security. Pursuant to agreed-upon references, notably Resolution 2216, we reaffirm our support to the efforts of Mr. Hans Grunberg, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen. I thank you, Madam President.

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

In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate. At the outset, I would like to congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the Council this month. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to you and to the members of the Council for the great attention you are devoting to the situation in the region in general and in Yemen in particular. I also thank Mr. Hans Grundberg, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen. and Mr. Mohamed Yahia, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Ms. Inger Asching, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children International, for their valuable briefings. Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the meeting today is taking place amid sensitive circumstances and important developments. The Security Council must assess the risks of these developments and the threats resulting therefrom with the highest degree of responsibility. These rapid developments in Yemen and the continued escalation by the terrorist Houthi militias must be addressed by the Council. The increasing targeting of civilians, the continuing threats to the security of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the resulting repercussions that extend beyond Yemen and the region negatively affect international peace and security and impede international trade, the global economy, and international supply chains. The terrorist Houthi militia continues its hostile and terrorist practices against its own people internally and against neighboring countries and the region as a whole. We have witnessed a dangerous escalation manifested in the targeting of civilians, civilian objects, and vital facilities in the kingdom. We've seen terrorist practices against the brotherly Yemeni people, including the imposition of an internal siege, forced displacement, starvation, the intimidation of women, the recruitment of children. and their deployment to the battlefield, the Kingdom affirms that the militias' continued pursuit of military escalation rather than peace will only prolong the Yemeni crisis, will deepen the suffering of the Yemeni people, and will undermine regional and international efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution. Madam President, yesterday, we witnessed a blatant act of aggression by the terrorist Houthi militia. Two attacks occurred targeting the King Khalid International Airport in the capital Riyadh. The attacks affected airport facilities and one aircraft of the Saudi Airlines, resulting in the martyrdom of three Saudi civilians and the injury of a number of citizens and residents of various nationalities, in addition to causing material damage. Over the past weeks, we have witnessed a dangerous escalation of Houthi attacks against the territory of the Kingdom. On 15 September, the militia attempted to target Mecca, the Qibla of Muslims, the place where Muslims turn in prayer. This is the second such attempt, the first having occurred on 27 July 2017. The militia also targeted on the 29th of September the Taiba electricity distribution station in Medina, an attack that is a provocation to the sentiments of Muslims around the world. These attacks targeted the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran in September. These attacks injured 73 civilians including women and children the attacks also reached the capital Riyadh and other cities in the Kingdom ballistic missiles and drones were launched towards populated areas and civilian and critical facilities on the 6th and 7th of October of this year Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport were subjected to attacks that resulted in the death of three civilians and the injury of 36 others of various nationalities, in addition to causing material damage. The attacks also affected the facilities of Jazan and Najran airports. These attacks claimed the lives of civilians from brotherly countries and Saudi nationals, and endangered the safety of travelers and workers of various nationalities. Not only do they constitute a violation of the kingdom's sovereignty and security, but they also pose a direct threat to the safety of civilians and civil aviation security. Consistent with this aggressive approach, the Houthi militia continues to threaten maritime security and international trade in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The militia continues to target ships and economic facilities, thereby threatening the security and stability of the region and the safety of global energy supplies. The Kingdom affirms that it will not allow Yemen to be turned into a staging ground for threats to its security or to the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea nor can it accept that a terrorist militia impose its will on Yemen and the region by force. The Houthi militia continues to receive external military and technical support, as well as transfers of knowledge and expertise. Its military capabilities are being enhanced through external support. This contributed to the perpetuation of chaos, the proliferation of weapons outside state control, and the undermining of security and stability in Yemen and the region. Madam President, the Kingdom calls upon the international community to assume its responsibilities and ensure the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, most notably resolution 2216 and resolution 2722 on freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. At the same time, the Kingdom affirms its inherent right to defend its territories, assets, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents, and to take all necessary measures to protect its security and deter attacks targeting civilians, civilian objects, and economic facilities, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always placed peace above all other options. We have made great efforts with brotherly and friendly countries and with the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen. We have presented tangible initiatives to preserve the peace process in Yemen since 2011, the latest of which was the roadmap submitted by the Kingdom to the UN envoy, which was accepted by the Yemeni government and rejected by the Houthi militia. Yet, the Houthi militia has on every occasion chosen reckless, aggressive escalation. It has obstructed efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution. It has evaded its commitments, embroiled the Yemeni people into conflicts that do not serve their interests, and it has threatened the security and stability of the region. the Kingdom reaffirms its full support for the Yemeni people in ending the coup and restoring the state and its institutions from the control of the terrorist Houthi militia that instigated the coup. Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the Kingdom has been and continues to be the largest supporters of Yemen, providing substantial humanitarian, development and economic assistance to the brotherly Yemeni people. As part of this continued assistance, the Kingdom recently provided support to the Central Bank of Yemen with the aim of enhancing economic, financial, and monetary stability and improving living conditions for citizens. On 4 October, through the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, the Kingdom also provided a new installment of its budget support grant to the Yemeni government, exceeding 224 million Saudi Riyals. This support should contribute to reducing the budget deficit, ensuring regular government financial flows, enhancing purchasing power, and stimulating commercial markets. The economic and development support provided by the Kingdom to Yemen between 2012 and 2026 exceeded 12.6 billion US dollars, while the humanitarian support provided by the Kingdom to Yemen exceeded 4.5 billion US dollars. Madam President, the Kingdom renews its support for the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Mr. Hans Grundberg. aimed at reaching a Yemeni-led comprehensive political settlement that preserves Yemen's unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and that fulfills the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people for security, stability, and development. In conclusion, Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calls upon the Security Council to assume its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security and in stopping the Houthi attacks that threaten the security of the Kingdom and the region and the safety of international navigation. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms that its objective remains achieving security and stability, ending the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people, and supporting every serious effort leading to a comprehensive and sustainable political solution that preserves Yemen's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank the representative of Saudi Arabia for the statement. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The meeting is adjourned.