The situation in the Middle East - Security Council, 9996th meeting

The 9,996th 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, invite the representative of 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 Gunborg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen; and Mr. Tom Fletcher, under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. 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 Gullberg.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I have repeatedly emphasized to this Council that stability in Yemen cannot be separated from the wider dynamics of the region. Yemen's unresolved conflict is like a fault line, sending tremors across its borders and amplifying existing regional rivalries. And at the same time, the broader instability in the Middle East continues to return to Yemen, fueling its divisions and delaying sustainable peace. In other words, Yemen is both a mirror and a magnifier of the region's volatility. Left unaddressed, its conflict will perpetuate tension far beyond Yemen. And conversely, without addressing the sources of the region's instability, Yemen's peace process will remain fragile. Stability in one arena depends on progress in the other. Today, neither can advance in isolation. Against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, we are seeing an alarming and dangerous intensification of hostilities between Ansar Allah and Israel. Ansar Allah has continued to target Israel with numerous drones and missiles, attacks which have reportedly resulted in civilian injuries and impacted a civilian airport. And likewise, in August and September, we have seen several Israeli strikes in Sana'a and other areas controlled by Ansar Allah, which have reportedly killed numerous civilians. The strikes on the 28th of August also killed senior Ansar Allah officials, some of whom were interlocutors of my office. This escalatory cycle must end. At the same time, if Yemen is perceived and addressed primarily through the lens of regional concerns, the voices, the needs, and the aspirations of the Yemenis themselves become sidelined. The current cycle of violence is dragging Yemen further away from a peace process that would bring a sustainable long-term peace and economic growth. We need to get the focus back on Yemen, focus on both its internal challenges and on unlocking its great potential. Mr. President, the latest wave of arbitrary detentions of 22 United Nations staff in Sana'a and Hodeidah is an egregious escalation by Ansar Allah against the United Nations. While one staff member has recently been released, There are now over 40 UN personnel detained, in addition to a colleague who died while in detention. The United Nations and all its staff serve under the principles of impartiality, integrity and respect for human rights and dignity. Their unacceptable arrests, the forced entry into UN premises and the seizure of UN property in violation of international law endangers the United Nations' very ability to advance peace efforts and deliver humanitarian support to the Yemeni people. I want to thank this esteemed Council for its strong statement condemning these actions. I stand in solidarity with our colleagues who are being held, and I will continue to work alongside with the wider UN family for their unconditional and immediate release. I also continue to urge Ansar Allah to repatriate the surviving crew members of the motor vessel Eternity Sea to their home countries. It has now been over two months since the ship was sunk. Mr. President, the families of detained personnel of the United Nations, diplomatic missions, and civil society are not alone in missing their loved ones. There are currently thousands of Yemenis detained as a result of the conflict. We do not forget them either. I again stress that movement on this painful issue is long overdue. My office is working closely with the parties to ensure the release of all conflict-related detainees under the all-for-all principle. Turning to the front lines in Yemen, while relative calm and stability continues to hold, Recent military activity in areas such as Al-Daleh, Marib, and Taiz serve as a warning that miscalculations from either party could trigger a return to full-scale conflict. The consequences of war would be devastating for Yemen and the wider region. We must therefore continue efforts to de-escalate tension along the front lines and maintain a meaningful security dialogue with all relevant actors. The productive engagement by government of Yemen's military representatives, as well as those from the wider region, under the auspices of the Military Coordination Committee, remains vital for maintaining open lines of communication and confidence building among the parties. The opening and securing of some of the key roads across the country in the last year demonstrate that cooperation is possible. We must continue to build on these entry points. Over the past month, we have seen how the work of the government of Yemen has helped improve the Yemeni economy with hard-won gains to the value of the currency and a commensurate reduction in the cost of living for Yemenis. My office has recently engaged extensively with the governor of the Central Bank of Yemen in Aden, ministers in the government of Yemen, and a wide range of private sector representatives. I welcome the depth and constructiveness of the dialogue and the focus on good governance, ensuring that economic stabilization is sustainable. My office stands ready to continue engagement on these issues, these economic issues with both parties. Only through collaboration, by depoliticizing nationalist institutions and by taking a nationwide view, can Yemen's full economic potential be realized. Mr. President, in recent weeks, I held discussions with many Yemen interlocutors, including from the government of Yemen and Ansar Allah, with representatives of regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as with representatives of the broader international community. I emphasized in all my meetings that the best way forward is to engage on the commitments made towards a roadmap, making sure that they are anchored in Yemeni ownership and responsive to current challenges and broader regional security needs. The need for a nationwide ceasefire, countrywide economic reforms, and an inclusive political process remains as valid as ever. My work on this continues, despite all the challenges I have enumerated, undeterred. Mr. President, we achieve most when we work together. Unilateral decisions rarely bring solutions. They harden positions, deepen mistrust, and prolong conflict. In moments of heightened tension, keeping channels of communication open is not a sign of weakness, but of leadership and responsibility. Dialogue, however difficult, is the only viable path to bridge divides and to move forward. My message to all Yemeni leaders is that the United Nations remain committed to working with you towards de-escalation, dialogue, and a long-term, Yemeni-led, inclusive political settlement. This is how we can ensure stability and prosperity for Yemen. It is possible, but it requires a conscious step back from where we are now. I want to thank the members of this Council again for their united and steadfast support for this goal, and for your role in supporting an agreement that is credible for Yemenis, supported by the region, and insulated from wider geopolitical shocks. Thank you very much, Mr. President.

I thank Mr. Eggenburg for his briefing. And I give the floor to Mr. Tom Fletcher.

Thank you, Mr. President. The events of the last two weeks, as described by the Special Envoy, will understandably dominate discussions today on how the United Nations operates and how we engage with parties to a conflict in Yemen and beyond. And so I reiterate my full support to the Special Envoy's strenuous efforts to find a political track in and amid a complex regional picture. I will address some of those implications, but I'd first like to focus on the ever-growing humanitarian crisis plaguing the people of Yemen. Mr. President, rising food prices, security threats to our work, a collapsing economy, and persistent conflict have made Yemen the third most food insecure country on Earth. Before February next year, one million more people are expected to be forced into extreme hunger. joining 17 million Yemenis with too little to eat. This includes more than 40,000 people in the catastrophic phase of food insecurity. 70% of households in Yemen do not have enough food to meet their daily needs. This is the highest rate ever recorded. Nearly half of the population in the country are now suffering severe food deprivation, a jump from 36% only a year ago. One in three families is experiencing moderate to severe hunger. In one out of five households, someone goes a full day and night without any food at all. I have raised this alarm here before, but this reporting confirms our and your worst fears. Mr. President, the more positive part. Despite lack of funding and a tough operating environment, humanitarians with immense courage have been responding to those in greatest need. In Hajjah, humanitarian organizations strengthened their responses to roll back rising acute food insecurity after children died from starvation in the IDP camps. Partners scaled up vital lifesaving cash support, in-kind food distribution, and hygiene kits. They restored clean water supplies, established health points to deliver essential health and nutrition support. Out of 98,000 people in urgent need of aid, 76,000 received additional support by early September, with more on the way. In Amran, support from the Yemen Humanitarian Fund allowed local partners to provide health and nutrition to 15,000 people in critical need. including at the Maswar Rural Hospital. And in Marib, UNICEF, WHO, with support again from the Yemen Humanitarian Fund, are providing nutrition through four hospitals, treating hundreds of severely malnourished children, pregnant women, and new mothers. Humanitarian partners have also helped more than 172,000 people affected by heavy rains and flooding including with non-food items, shelter, hygiene kits and clean water. I pay tribute to their dedication in such difficult circumstances, and I am grateful for the support that we receive. But, Mr. President, while we are making some progress, it is not enough. An increasingly difficult operating environment is preventing us from reaching those in need. or saving enough lives. And funding cuts are also costing lives. For example, and in addition to the food insecurity crisis, 2 million women and girls have already lost access to reproductive health services in a reality where a woman already dies every two hours during pregnancy. I remain gravely concerned by the continued hostilities between the parties, which have resulted in scores of casualties and damaged critical infrastructure. Airstrikes against Sana'a and Al-Jawf since the last Council briefing are reported to have resulted in more than 300 casualties. International humanitarian law must be respected. Civilians and civilian objects must be protected. Mr. President, in this challenging environment, The detention of another 22 United Nations staff by the Houthi de facto authorities since 31 August is intolerable. This is in addition to the 23 staff who were already detained, along with dozens of staff and former staff from international NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions. So I would reiterate the central demands that you made as a Council in your statement on 12 September, the immediate release of all those detained by the de facto authorities, and your clear message that those delivering humanitarian aid must be protected. That arbitrary detention of now 44 UN staff, the forcible entry of UN offices, the seizure of equipment, All of that fundamentally undermines our ability to continue to deliver at scale in these locations. And as this council also called for on Friday, it is vital that all parties enable a safe and secure operating environment. Now, we have a duty to our staff to take every reasonable measure to mitigate these escalating risks that they face. And we now face tough choices about how to strike the right balance between that protection and the vital life-saving work that we do on your behalf. And so it is outrageous at a time when humanitarians are trying to serve the Yemeni people while beset by funding cuts that our operational capacity is being further and needlessly jeopardized. Detaining staff, humanitarian staff, does not help the people of Yemen. It doesn't feed the hungry, heal the sick, nor protect those displaced by floods or fighting. UN and humanitarian personnel must be protected to do their jobs and save lives. The people of Yemen, wherever they may live, must receive the humanitarian aid that they need. They deserve a future of greater security, justice, and opportunity. So, Mr. President, I close with three simple calls to action. Firstly, the immediate release of all colleagues who are arbitrarily detained. And if you have influence, you must use it. Secondly, the return of UN compounds by security forces to ensure that humanitarian partners can do their work. And thirdly, your funding. for our response to food insecurity and malnutrition. We must not allow mass hunger to define the future of Yemen. Thank you.

I thank Mr. Fletcher for his briefing. And I give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements. I give the floor to the representative of United Kingdom.

Thank you, President. I thank Special Envoy Grunberg and Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for briefing us today. And I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen at our meeting. I will make three points. First, the United Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms the detentions of at least 22 UN personnel by the Houthis, as well as the forced entry into premises of the World Food Programme and UNICEF and the seizure of UN property. I welcome this Council's strong condemnation of the detentions through our press statement last week. The safety and security of UN personnel, as well as the inviolability of UN premises, must be guaranteed at all times. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all UN, NGO, civil society, and diplomatic mission personnel detained by the Houthis, including those held since 2021. Threats against humanitarian workers are unacceptable and risk exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. Second, we condemn the ongoing and persistent Houthi aggression, with continuing missile and drone attacks against Israel and against shipping in the Red Sea. We are clear about Israel's right to self-defense against these attacks. But this must be done in compliance with Israel's IHL obligations, including the need to avoid damage to critical civilian infrastructure. We call on the Houthis to stop this reckless escalation, which has already resulted in significant civilian casualties. We urge all parties to exercise restraint. And third, the UK reiterates our concern that the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen, as set out by US Chief Fletch. The number of people who are food insecure is likely to rise to over 18 million in the next six months, and the UK has dedicated $79 million this year specifically to address food insecurity. We must work together to ensure that the international community remains focused on the humanitarian response and to galvanize donors to fill critical funding gaps. We also encourage the UN to ensure that resources are prioritized to mitigate the worst impacts of this looming crisis. President, the UK remains resolute in our support to the efforts of the Special Envoy and his team in charting a path towards lasting stability and security in Yemen. I thank you.

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

Mr. President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of A3+, namely Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone, and my own country, Somalia. We thank the Special Envoy, Hans Grandberg, and USG, Tom Fletcher, for their comprehensive briefings and welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen in this meeting. At the outset, the A3+ reaffirms its steadfast support for the efforts of the Special Envoy in facilitating a political settlement through Yemeni-led, Yemeni-owned political process based on agreed references. We stress once again that That dialogue, compromise, and inclusivity remain the only path toward a sustainable solution for the conflict and alleviation of the suffering endured by the Yemeni people. Mr. President, on the security front, A3+ members express deep concern over the fragile and deteriorating security situation in Yemen and the wider region. The group reiterates the urgent need for coordinated efforts to de-escalate the tensions and protect the civilians. The A3+ notes with cautious optimism that there have been no new attacks in the Red Sea since the last report of this Council. This development is welcome as it contributes to the regional stability and demonstrates the value of restraint in avoiding further escalation. A3+ reaffirms that ensuring the safety and freedom of the navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is vital to the international peace and security, and stresses that these waters must not become an arena of confrontation. However, we remain deeply concerned over the continuous cycle of hostilities between Al Ansar Allah and Israel and its repercussions inside Yemen and for the region. A3+ strongly condemns the latest Israeli strikes on Yemen that have caused 35 fatalities and injured 131 people. We also reiterate our appeal for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, recognizing that the ongoing conflict has also negatively impacted peace efforts in Yemen. In this context, A3+ emphasized the need to prevent further regional spillover of the conflict and its impact on the security and stability in the region and beyond. In this regard, we reiterate the necessity to address the root causes contributed to the regional tensions and encouraged enhanced diplomatic efforts by all. On the humanitarian front, we remain gravely concerned by the dire situation in Yemen. We take careful note of OJ's briefings and underline that millions of civilians continue to face an acute food insecurity, severe economic decline, and lack of access to essential services. Humanitarian needs are rising, even as the funding shortfalls constrain the response. We emphasize that international humanitarian law must be respected at all times, that humanitarian access must be guaranteed, and that the protection of civilians, especially women and children, must remain a central priority. Mr. President, while we welcome the recent release of Ms. Lana Katou, Deputy Director of UNICEF, and the A3+ The A3+ reiterates strong condemnation of the arbitrary detention of the UN humanitarian staff, national and international NGOs, and civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions personnel by the Houthis. The recent detention by the Houthis and forced entry into the UN premises are clear violation of their obligations under international humanitarian law. Such actions are unacceptable and severely hinder efforts to deliver assistance and promote peace in Yemen. In this regard, the A3+ reiterates its firm demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained personnel since 2023, including UN staff. A3+ calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to refrain from unilateral actions that risk undermining the prospect for peace, and to engage constructively in a good faith with United Nations-led process. We also underscore the important role of the regional actors in creating an environment conducive to dialogue and de-escalation. Finally, A3+ reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen. We will continue to support the efforts of Special Envoy, OCHA, and other broader United Nations system in advancing peace, alleviating humanitarian suffering, and ensuring a stable and secure future for Yemen and its people. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Somalia for your statement. I now give the floor to the representative of China.

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

I thank the representative of China for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Denmark.

Thank you, Mr. President. And I also thank Special Envoy Gronberg and Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for their briefings. And I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen to our meeting today. Mr. President, for the past month, we have seen an alarming escalation in the region and in Yemen, where the Houthis' actions continue to threaten the well-being of the Yemeni people. Allow me to raise three points. First, Denmark strongly condemns the Houthis' arbitrary detentions of the 19 UN personnel on August 31st. We underline that UN personnel must never be targeted or detained while carrying out their duties. We strongly urge the Houthis to comply with their international law obligations. We also condemn the forced entry into the premises of the UN and the seizure of UN property. Both new and previous arbitrary detentions of personnel from the UN, international and national civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions are entirely unacceptable. We call for their immediate and unconditional release. We recall that the work of UN personnel is carried out in accordance with the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence. Attempts to undermine these principles impede the UN's ability to deliver assistance and advance peace in Yemen. We extend our full support to the UN in taking the necessary precautions to ensure staff safety and to bring their detained colleagues home. The security of UN personnel must always be prioritized. Mr. President, my second point. The new wave of detentions comes at a time when the humanitarian situation is becoming even more dire. Since August, deadly floodings have displaced tens of thousands of Yemenis. This, in turn, has worsened public health risks such as cholera at a time when health facilities are already overwhelmed. As we heard from USG Fletcher, food insecurity is also soaring at an alarming pace, with some pockets of the population now likely to face catastrophic levels of food insecurity, according to the IPC. Along with restrictions on the delivery of aid, funding shortfalls severely restrict the humanitarian community's ability to deliver. We commend the UN and its partners for their efforts to stay and deliver despite these challenging circumstances. For our part, Denmark will continue to contribute to addressing the dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen, having donated more than 215 million US dollars in humanitarian response since the beginning of the conflict. We call on the international community to help alleviate the suffering of the civilian population. Mr. President, my final point. These developments are taking place in a context of deeply concerning regional escalation. We condemn the Houthis' continued attacks on Israel and call on all sides to de-escalate and to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law. In the same vein, the Houthis' continued attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea must stop. Freedom of navigation must be ensured. Endangering the lives of civilian seafarers and threatening the marine environment is completely unacceptable. Recent Houthi missile and drone attacks demonstrate the extent of external support for the Houthis in expanding their military capabilities. The recent seizure of 250 tons of arms on its way to the Houthis underscores that violations of the arms embargo continue. Denmark stands ready to support initiatives that can strengthen enforcement of Resolution 2216. Mr. President, to conclude. All parties must demonstrate renewed commitment to advance a political agreement that leads to a sustainable peace in Yemen. Recent agreements on road openings and water management offer glimpses of hope, but such confidence-building measures must translate into sustained political progress. We fully support the UN Special Envoy and his efforts to steer the way towards a Yemeni-owned, Yemeni-led political solution to the conflict. I thank you.

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

Thank you very much, President. We'd like to thank the Presidency of the Council for convening this meeting. The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, OCHA, Tom Fletcher. We thank them for their valuable briefings. And also the Distinguished Representative of Yemen with us in the room, we extend to you a cordial welcome. The undue seizing of UNICEF property and of the World Food Programme constitute a blatant violation of international law and the fundamental principles of this organization. These actions are absolutely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. Meanwhile, the population of Yemen requires humanitarian assistance. with approximately 17.1 million people facing severe levels of food insecurity. The detention of aid workers not only disrupts this essential work, but also discourages those that are willing to provide support by putting their safety at risk. For this reason, Panama reiterates its urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those that have been arbitrarily detained, including representatives of the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, national as well as international, and also members of civil society and the diplomatic corps. We also recognize, and once again we express our full support, to the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Mr. Hans Grunberg, in his excellent mediation efforts on this matter. President, in recent weeks, we have closely followed the developments in Yemen amid increasing signs of tension and escalation, both in Yemen and across the region. For this reason, we demand that the Houthis refrain from carrying out provocative and unilateral attacks that could trigger a larger crisis in Yemen, further jeopardizing the already fragile stability of the country and the region. Likewise, we call on all States to refrain from carrying out retaliatory attacks. These only worsen the humanitarian situation and have a direct impact on the Yemeni civilian population. The region cannot and must not, under any circumstances, be dragged into another large-scale conflict. Panama remains firmly committed to the pursuit of a political, inclusive, lasting and peaceful solution to the conflict in Yemen. through constructive dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation with all stakeholders involved. Thank you very much.

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

Thank you, Mr. President. We thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher for their comprehensive briefings. I welcome the participation of the permanent representative of Yemen in the meeting. The broader situation in the Middle East remains concerning. Escalating violence and instability in the region continue to pose serious risks to peace and security. The use of force against civilians, the disregard for international humanitarian law, and the absence of meaningful dialogue further threaten destabilizing an already fragile environment. Against this backdrop, the plight of Yemen becomes even more urgent. While we deeply appreciate the efforts undertaken by the Special Envoy, regrettably, the Yemeni peace process has not made the desirable progress. The people of Yemen continue to suffer from the devastating consequences of protracted conflict. Political paralysis, economic collapse, and a severe humanitarian crisis have combined to create one of the world's most serious situations. Millions remain displaced, infrastructure is destroyed, and essential public services are crippled. I wish to emphasize four points. First, Pakistan expresses deep concern on the ongoing cycle of violence between the Houthis and Israel and its repercussions on Yemen and the region. We call for restraint, de-escalation, and the protection of civilians. We condemn the ongoing attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. which cannot be justified under any pretext. Hostilities must end immediately. Second, we strongly condemn the continued arbitrary detentions by the Houthis, including the recent 21 United Nations personnel, as well as the forced entry into premises of the World Food Programme and UNICEF, and the seizure of UN property. These actions violate international law undermine the UN's ability to operate in Yemen and deliver the much-needed assistance. The safety of UN staff and property, and the inviolability of UN premises, must be guaranteed at all times. All detained UN, NGO, humanitarian, civil society, and diplomatic personnel must be released immediately and unconditionally. Third, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Two-thirds of Yemen's population needs humanitarian assistance. Food insecurity is rising. Malnutrition is widespread. And outbreaks of disease persist. We urge donors and humanitarian agencies to increase funding so that aid reaches those in need without delay. Fourth, it is imperative to prioritize finding sustainable solutions for Yemen. and advancing dialogue and diplomacy to safeguard peace and stability across the Middle East. The roadmap agreed in December 2023 remains the viable pathway. We urge all parties to break the stalemate through political will and concrete steps towards an inclusive peace process. We support and appreciate the work of the Special Envoy, including his recent engagement in the region. Mr. President, The Council must facilitate and advance the peace process. It must speak with one voice to end the suffering of the Yemeni people, uphold the UN Charter, and chart a path forward towards peace, stability, and prosperity in Yemen and the wider Middle East. Pakistan stands ready to work with all Council members to help forge a peaceful way forward, and reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the government and people of Yemen.

I thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. President. And let me also thank Special Envoy Gunnerberg for your briefing, sir, and Let me also thank Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for his. I would also like to welcome Ambassador Al-Saadi to the Council. Colleagues, over the past month, the Houthis, with the backing of Iran, have simply demonstrated the continuing threat they pose to navigational rights and freedoms in the sea, to stability in the region, and to the welfare of the Yemeni people. On August 31, the Houthis unlawfully detained at least 21 UN staff, as we have heard, from their offices and homes, forced their way inside the premises of the UN agencies, and seized UN property. The United States strongly condemns these unjust detentions. The United States also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of these UN staff, as it continues to call for the release of the staff of humanitarian organizations, the UN, and diplomatic missions unjustly detained in 2021, 2023, and 2024, as well as the crew members of the MC Eternity Sea. This includes locally employed U.S. staff. Some of these detainees continue to face the threat of bogus trials with the possibility of death sentences. These repeated unjust detentions are a stark reminder the Houthis care nothing for the well-being of the people of Yemen. The Houthis detain their fellow Yemenis, harass and abuse civil society members who oppose them, and severely restrict the operating space for humanitarian activities. Over the past month, We've also seen the Houthis intensify their threats to regional stability and to navigational rights and freedoms in the Red Sea. They continue to launch attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Israel, expanding their repertoire of weapons to include cluster bombs. They've extended the range of their territorial attacks, including launching a missile against an Israel-owned ship in the northern Red Sea. The United States condemns Houthi attacks against Israel. We stand with Israel and its right of self-defense against Iranian-backed terrorist groups like the Houthis. Mr. President, now we clearly see the Houthis are also drug dealers. Republic of Yemen government counterterrorism forces recently seized 600 kilograms of cocaine meant for the Houthis. This follows several large seizures of captagon since June, all meant to fund Houthi terrorist activities. The Houthis must be deprived of resources for their terrorist activities. To that end, the United States continues to put pressure on the Houthis to disrupt their access to funding and weapons. On September 11th, the U.S. Treasury Department issued additional sanctions against those facilitating Houthi operations. making it Treasury's largest sanctions action to date targeting the Houthis. The network targeted included individuals and entities that are part of the Houthis global illicit fundraising, smuggling, and weapons procurement operations. We urge member states to explore their own potential terrorist designations, just as we urge them to provide funding for the UN Verification and Inspection Mission. a critical tool for enforcement of this Council's resolutions. Finally, Mr. President, the United States reminds all Member States of their obligations to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2216, passed by this body. Iran continues to defy this Council's resolutions by supplying the Houthis with military, logistical, and intelligence support. This Council should impose consequences using the tools at its disposal. Thank you, sir.

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

Mr. President, I wish first and foremost to thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Hans Kuhnberg, as well as under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Tom Fletcher, for their briefings. I also wish to welcome the presence amongst us of the Permanent Representative of Yemen. Mr. President, France strongly condemns the arbitrary arrests of United Nations agents, which have been carried out, which were carried out by the Houthis in Sana'a and Hudaydah once again on the 31st of August 2025, as well as the forced entry into UN premises and the seizure of assets belonging to the organization. The safety and security of United Nations personnel and assets needs to be upheld at all times. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all United Nations agents, those of non-governmental organizations, as well as those of diplomatic missions who have been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis, some of whom have been detained since 2021. In this vein, we welcome the fact that the Council expressed itself in demanding their immediate and unconditional release. These detentions violate international law. They obstruct the delivery of humanitarian assistance, which the Yemeni population needs. The Houthis shoulder overwhelming responsibility for the suffering of Yemeni civilians. More than 17 million Yemenis go hungry, and yet the Houthis continue to target those who seek to deliver assistance to them by using improbable and unacceptable pretexts. France reiterates our full support for UN action and those of UN personnel on the ground who need to be in a position to carry out their mission in full safety and security. France condemns in the strongest terms the Houthi attacks against Israel and against maritime traffic in the Red Sea. These attacks are unacceptable. They threaten regional peace and security. The Houthis, supported by Iran, must cease their destabilizing acts in Yemen, in the Red Sea, and more broadly in the Middle East. The Security Council needs to be able to condemn them unanimously and unambiguously. France will continue to uphold our commitment through the European Union Defense Security- Defensive Security Policy Operation, ESDPES, in order to protect maritime security and freedom of navigation, fully in accordance with international law, and together with our partners. Mr. President, only an inclusive political solution will bring an end to the conflict in Yemen. France reaffirms our full support for the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General. We call upon all Yemeni stakeholders to engage in good faith for the resumption of a political process under the aegis of the United Nations. This process needs to ensure the participation of Yemeni women and young people whose engagement is vital to build a future of peace and stability. We last to reaffirm our commitment to the unity, the sovereignty, and the stability of Yemen, as well as to regional stability. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr.

President. We wish to thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen, Mr. Hans Groenberg, as well as the U.S. Deputy for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Thomas Fletcher, for their reports. The situation in Yemen continues to give rise to very serious concerns and fears. The progress on the political fear is virtually nonexistent. The situation along the line of military confrontation remains fraught. armed incidents between warring sides are, albeit sporadic in nature, largely, they still pose they still represent a very serious destabilizing factor. There is a growing number of attacks which have been observed in Mahri province, and this situation generates risks of further deterioration of the security situation. Unfortunately, there are still unresolved acute problems of a humanitarian nature faced by Yemen. First and foremost, the chronic food shortages, and growing communicable diseases. We extend gratitude to the humanitarian workers working on the ground who are striving to the extent that it is possible to alleviate the plight of ordinary Yemenis. The conditions for this, unfortunately, are becoming worse and worse with each passing day. We are exceedingly concerned by reports about new detentions by the Ansarullah movement of workers of UN structures present in Yemen, including WFP, UNICEF, and UNDP. We view such actions as inadmissible. UN staff have corresponding privileges and immunities. We support the call from the membership of the Security Council and the Secretary-General for their release. We understand that the work of the UN humanitarian wing in Yemen is further complicated by acute underfinancing of the specialized humanitarian dimension, the humanitarian plan. We hope, nevertheless, that amid these very complicated circumstances, Tom Fletcher and his subordinates will manage to keep the situation from completely collapsing and will keep the will and will continue to ensure that all Yemenis are provided with what they need, irrespective of where they reside. Mr. President, the parties to the Yemeni conflict still have an opportunity together to chart the path for a peaceful resolution to the existing problems. Here they could base themselves on the corresponding roadmap for Yemeni settlement, the key parameters of which had previously been agreed upon with assistance from Saudi Arabia and Oman. This document remains relevant. although some it may require some updates. We continue to believe that recovery and lasting normalization of the situation in that country can only be achieved through negotiations, through inclusive intra-Yemeni dialogue with all parties, including the Houthis. We believe that the objective of all conscientious members of the international community is to pool efforts and help the Yemenis to finally launch the process of comprehensive political under the aegis of the United Nations, which it would be important to base this on the updated normative legal basis. I wish to take this opportunity to extend our unstinting support for Special Envoy Grunberg in his mediation efforts. Mr. President, The situation in Yemen is affected in an exceedingly negative way by the ongoing escalation of confrontation between Israel and Ansar Allah. Following each missile or drone attack by the Houthis targeting Israeli territory, which we view as unacceptable, West Jerusalem carries out a disproportionate, in terms of magnitude, act of retribution, as a result of which many Innocent civilians die or are seriously wounded. The recent bombing of Sanai and Al-Juf province, according to existing reports, claimed the lives of 35 people and wounded another 131 people. In what is now a pattern, the casualties of Tahaal attacks targeting the territory of Yemen frequently become civilian and civilian objects. On the 28th of August 2025, an Israeli fighter aircraft carried out an attack against the capital of the country and many senior representatives of the Ansar Allah movement, including died, including nearly the entire membership of the Houthi government. Such acts are condemned by the international community, and they are part of an overall context of escalating illegal acts by the Israeli Government in the region. Just last week, the members of the Security Council condemned Israeli strikes targeting the capital of Qatar, which claimed the lives not just of a representative of the Palestinian Hamas movement, but also civilians. a civilian of the Gulf state. It is incumbent upon West Jerusalem to abandon the nefarious practice of liquidating political and military actors, if, of course, they are genuinely interested in establishing peace and stability in the region, without which it is impossible to provide for the security of the Jewish state itself. The sooner Israel recognizes that the only way to ensure region-wide de-escalation, including that of Yemen and the Red Sea region, and that the to this lies through immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of all hostages and detained Palestinians, as well as the lifting of the humanitarian blockade of the Strip, the sooner we will have grounds for optimism, for cautious optimism. Thank you very much for your attention.

I thank the representative of Russian Federation for the statement. And I'll give the floor to the representative of Slovenia.

Thank you, Mr. President. We would like to begin our statement by thanking Special Envoy Grunberg and USG Fletcher for their informative briefings. We also welcome the Permanent Representative of Yemen to today's meeting. President, I begin my statement today with a clear and unequivocal condemnation of the latest wave of arbitrary detentions by the Houthis of United Nations staff. We also condemn their forced entry into UN premises and seizure of UN property in Yemen. These acts are totally unacceptable and represent yet another escalation. They also add to the already unacceptable detention of personnel from the UN, national and international NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions over the past number of years. They are a clear violation of international law and an affront to peace efforts and to our UN family. Let me convey my country's message in the most clear and simple way. All those detained by the Houthis must be released immediately and without condition. Humanitarians must be enabled to carry out their life-saving and life-sustaining work freely and safely. We, too, are deeply concerned by the impact detentions could have on the humanitarian situation in Yemen when needs are so high. Yemenis already struggle to survive without adequate food, medicine, and shelter. For many, including internally displaced persons, women and children, humanitarian workers are the last lifeline. We appreciate the efforts of the special envoy, the emergency relief coordinator, and the whole UN system to secure releases while also striving to achieve peace and to assist the local population. To the Houthis, we say directly, these reckless and inhumane acts only harm your own people, the Yemeni people. Reverse course now. Mr. President, Slovenia also deeply regrets that the cycle of hostilities between the Houthis and Israel has once again seriously escalated. We condemn continued Houthi targeting of Israel, as well as strikes by Israel in Yemen, which have reportedly resulted in civilian deaths have caused damage to critical civilian infrastructure, and have come very close to UN facilities. These back-and-forth attacks must end. We repeat our longstanding call for immediate de-escalation and for the full respect of international humanitarian law by all parties, including the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Yemen's unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity must also be respected. The same core principle applies to all countries of the region. Mr. President, Yemen cannot afford to be further engulfed in a spiraling regional conflict. Neither can we afford a return to full-scale war on Yemeni soil. The people of Yemen deserve a genuine and inclusive political process. It is long overdue. They should not be used as a pawn in a geopolitical game. The best option and course of action is for all parties to engage in good faith and without preconditions with the Special Envoy's efforts towards a consolidated ceasefire and the development of a UN roadmap. Slovenia reiterates its commitment to a just and lasting peace for the Yemeni people and stresses the importance of the unity of the Security Council and the broader international community to finally deliver on this goal. As the Envoy said, We need to bring the focus back on Yemen. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Slovenia for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Greece.

Mr. President, I would like to thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher for their pertinent briefings today. I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen in the meeting. The security situation in Yemen has reached a critical crossroad. During the last weeks, Houthis have displayed an alarming escalation of violence by intensifying their attacks while we are witnessing a political stalemate in the peace negotiation process. I wish to make three points. First, Greece condemns in the strongest possible terms the Houthi invasion into the premises of the World Food Programme and UNICEF in Sana'a, which led to the forcible detention of at least 21 UN personnel. More than 40 UN and NGO personnel, diplomatic staff and humanitarian workers are now unlawfully detained by the Houthis. We express our deep gratitude for their service in very difficult circumstances. We strongly reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained personnel. The tragic death under Houthi detention of a member of the World Food Programme on February this year remains unaddressed. We call for the immediate and transparent investigation of his death. The recent press statement issued by the Council on 12 September sends a unified and unequivocal message of condemnation of these acts. Humanitarian workers face increasing violence and threats. Houthi arbitrary detentions have aggravated security conditions, thus affecting the delivery of humanitarian response. Life-saving and life-sustaining humanitarian assistance and protection services must continue uninterrupted to avoid, as we just heard, a humanitarian catastrophe. Second, maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea region continue to deteriorate. The Houthi attacks against commercial vessels Magic Seas and Eternity Sea in July severely undermined the already fragile trust to an important international maritime trade route. Greece strongly condemns these attacks, which pose a severe threat to freedom of navigation and impact on peace and security in the region. Four crew members of the Internity Sea were killed, while 11 more are still held hostage by the Houthis. We call for the immediate release of all and their safe return to their families. The lives and welfare of seafarers must be protected at all times. Greece remains fully engaged in safeguarding maritime security in the Red Sea region by continuing to provide leadership and substantial support to EU naval operation Aspides, in line with the Security Council resolutions and with full respect to the operation's defence posture. Third. The international community must intensify coordinated efforts towards de-escalation and rebuild of trust between the parties. Regional stakeholders remain crucial for achieving tangible results. We condemn the continuous strikes by the Houthis against Israel, which feed military escalation and perpetuate instability in the region. In any case, the protection of civilians must never be jeopardized. Greece deplores the loss of life among civilians and strongly reiterates that international humanitarian law must be fully and unconditionally respected by all parties. We reiterate our steadfast support to Special Envoy Hans Grudenberg and his tireless efforts to reinvigorate the political dialogue. An inclusive, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned peace process under the UN auspices, with full respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Yemen, is the only sustainable solution. The stability of the Red Sea region needs to be an integral part of this process. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Greece for the statement. I shall now make a statement in my national capacity. I first join others in thanking Special Envoy Grunberg, USG Fletcher for their briefings and will deliver the following key points. First, that the Republic of Korea condemns in the strongest possible terms the ongoing, continuing, and new detentions of United Nations personnel by the Houthis, as well as the forced entry into WFP and UNICEF premises and the seizure of UN property. There is no justification, none, that can excuse the arbitrary detention of those who devote themselves to alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people. Such unlawful acts are totally unacceptable. What the Houthis must do is to restore without delay a safe and secure operating environment for humanitarian actors. Also, the Houthis must heed the united voice of the Security Council and the international community and release immediately and unconditionally all detained UN, NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic personnel. Second, we express our deep concern over the recent escalation of hostilities in Yemen. Amidst continued regional instability, we note with dismay the Israeli airstrikes in Sana'a last month, as well as their airstrikes last week that reportedly caused significant civilian casualties, including multiple journalists. Following this, we witnessed the Houthis' intolerable further detentions, along with their retaliatory vows through drone and missile attacks. Such retaliatory action reaction dynamics only fuel a dangerous spiral. which not only exacerbate the suffering of the Yemeni people, but also poses grave risks that extend far beyond regional security. We call on all parties, especially the Houthis, to exercise the utmost restraint in order to prevent any further deterioration of the situation. Third, we remain gravely alarmed by the deepening humanitarian crisis in Yemen. As the country's economic outlook for this year remains bleak, the World Bank reports that oil export blockades, currency depreciation, and liquidity shortages are crippling public finances and household consumption, leaving people in Houthi-controlled areas suffering the most. Rising inflation, coupled with shrinking donor aid and Red Sea tensions is further exacerbating food insecurity and the country's already dire humanitarian situation. Unimpeded humanitarian access, sustained donor support, and renewed political will are essentials to alleviate suffering, restore economic stability, and address the Yemeni people's urgent needs. Lastly, we once again emphasize the importance of fully implementing all relevant Secret Council resolutions, including the arms embargo, particularly at this crucial juncture. We also take this opportunity to highlight the Panel's essential role in monitoring the implementation of sanctions measures. In this connection, the Republic of Korea welcomes the recent appointment of arms experts enabling the panel of experts to return to full capacity. Colleagues, there is no denying that Yemen is passing through a dark and difficult tunnel. Yet we must not lose sight of the prospect of a brighter future for the Yemeni people. To this end, all parties, especially the Houthis, must choose a sustainable path forward that alleviates the hardship of the Yemeni people, rather than one that fuels further humanitarian suffering and regional instability. The Republic of Korea reaffirms its commitment for an inclusive, Yemeni-led political process under UN auspices, and remains steadfast in supporting efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. I now resume my functions as the Presidency. I now give the floor to the representative of Yemen.

Mr. President, at the outset, allow me to congratulate you on your presidency of the Council for this month, and we wish you every success in your duties. as well as your delegation, and we'd like to thank your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of the friendly Republic of Panama, for their successful presidency last month. And we'd also like to express our gratitude to Mr. Hans Grundberg and Mr. Tom Fletcher for their briefings. Mr. President, Eleven years have passed since the terrorist Houthi militias' coup against the state, against national consensus and the aspirations of the Yemeni people for security, stability, construction and development. Eleven years that these militias, backed by the Iranian regime, have continued their destructive and escalatory approach. evading peace obligations and undermining all efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving peace. They show no regard for the humanitarian suffering of the Yemeni people. and they systematically destroy Yemen's resources. These militias use civilians to fuel their military adventures and commit all kinds of crimes against Yemenis, sieges of cities and villages, abductions, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture, killings. demolition of homes and places of worship in areas under their control. They want to break the will of Yemenis and subjugate them to their coup and their extremist ideology. They've planted millions of landmines. They've recruited thousands of children, throwing them into deadly battles and brainwashed them with ideas of hatred and extremism. This is the largest recruitment campaign witnessed in modern history. They have worsened poverty, unemployment and internal displacement and turned Yemen into a platform to threaten and attack international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, destabilizing regional and global security. These militias are carrying out a systematic economic war against the Yemeni government and people. They loot state institutions, they extort the private sector, they impose illegal levies on citizens and merchants, they seize revenues from ports, taxes and public salaries, and steal hundreds of billions of dollars from Yemen's resources. Meanwhile, millions of Yemenis live below the poverty line, suffering hunger and food insecurity. All of this is part of the Houthis' strategy to prolong the conflict, to exacerbate humanitarian suffering, in order to enforce the agenda of their Iranian sponsor, a catastrophic project dragging Yemen into total devastation. Mr. President, the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni Government can reaffirm their commitment to a just and lasting peace based on the agreed political solution, foremost among them Resolution 2216 of the Security Council, which is the roadmap for addressing the Yemeni crisis. The only way to achieve peace and stability in Yemen and the region lies in putting an end to the coup and restoring the authority of the state. True peace rests on addressing the root causes of the crisis. This is true, holding accountable the party obstructing peace efforts and the end of the conflict. Peace cannot be limited to crisis management. It requires genuine will and the necessary conditions to achieve it. The Yemeni government reiterates its openness to all serious initiatives. This conflict must not be repeated. The Yemeni government welcomes all serious initiatives to end the war and address the humanitarian crisis. We call upon the Council and the international community to assume their responsibilities and take firmer stances towards the Houthi militias so that they accept peace and abandon their claim of divine right to rule Yemenis. They think that they are above man and they do not want to serve the interests of the Yemeni peoples. They have to stop their terrorist practices that are destabilizing Yemen and the region. This is a flagrant violation of all international agreements and the principle of international humanitarian law. Their source funding must be removed. The Yemeni government strongly condemns the fact that Houthi militias have raided UNICEF and World Food Programme and UNDP offices and have seized assets and property. The government also condemns the abduction of 21 UN staff members, one of the largest waves of arrests targeting UN employees. in addition to others who've been detained since 2021, 2023, and 2024. This is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, and it's a direct threat to the safety of these staff and their families. And it's also sabotaging the noble efforts being deployed to alleviate Yemen's worsening humanitarian crisis. The Yemeni government has long warned against overlooking Houthi violations and their methods of coercion carried out against humanitarian organizations in their areas of control. These militias feel that they enjoy impunity, and they are further emboldened because of the absence of firm positions of the United Nations and the international community for them to stop these violations and crimes. Today, condemnations are in vain. We urgently need to ensure the freeing of all abductees. practical measures, concrete measures have to be taken against these practices of abduction and we have to protect humanitarian workers. The presence of UN offices in Houthi-controlled areas has indeed become a grave danger to staff safety. We once again call for a relocation of these offices from areas controlled by the Houthis to the temporary capital Aden in order to ensure a safe environment for their work and to ensure that humanitarian and development activities can continue with access to all categories without discrimination of any kind. Mr. President, the Yemeni government continues to implement comprehensive reforms in the economic, administrative, and financial sectors, supported by the Presidential Leadership Council to ensure economic stability and the stability of the currency, and to enhance state institutions and their efficiency, and also improve basic services. In order to best use the resources available, we feel that Support from development partners and donor organizations is vital in order to achieve stability, foster recovery, and alleviate the humanitarian crisis that has been created by the Houthis' destructive war. They are systematically destroying resources and the riches of Yemen. The Yemeni government insists on continuing coordination with international partners in order to establish mechanisms of support and to strengthen those mechanisms. thus helping the economy to recover. And we would like to express our deep appreciation to our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for their support in very many areas, particularly development and humanitarian interventions. They have significantly helped to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people, and they've helped to support economic recovery, and they've enabled the government to fulfill its essential duties. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank the representative of Yemen for the statement. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers, and I invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussions on this subject. The meeting is adjourned.