September Net – Report
The United Nations expressed deep concern over a new and wider cycle of escalation that neither Yemen nor the region can bear the consequences of.
In his statement at the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Yemen, Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific, called on all parties to engage constructively in UN-sponsored negotiations, stressing that this is essential to ensure de-escalation, promote safe, sustainable and predictable civilian air access, among other priorities.
Khiari also emphasized that unilateral actions will not bring Yemen closer to peace; on the contrary, they risk entrenching divisions, accelerating fragmentation and increasing the likelihood of renewed escalation and military confrontation.
He also called on all parties to fully respect international law, including the United Nations Charter, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and relevant Security Council resolutions, and to support and respect Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
He said “‘The United Nations remains committed to supporting Yemenis in re-launching a political process to end the conflict in Yemen,’ reiterating that de-escalation at the regional level could create a more conducive environment for reviving the Yemeni political process”.
In his speech, the UN official also renewed his reference to the fact that 73 of his UN colleagues, along with staff from NGOs, civil society organizations and diplomatic missions, are still arbitrarily detained by the Houthis. He once again called for their immediate, safe and unconditional release, and for full respect for international law, including UN privileges and the immunities of its staff.
In the same context, the African group (A3) at the UN Security Council reiterated its steadfast commitment to Yemen’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.
The group, which includes the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Somalia stressed in its statement at the emergency UN Security Council meeting on Yemen that any external actions that violate Yemen’s sovereignty or risk widening the conflict should not be tolerated.
The A3 stated that keeping Yemen isolated from the broader conflict amid tensions in the Middle East is essential for maintaining regional and international peace and security.
The group also expressed deep concern over the renewed tensions in Yemen, noting that hostile actions only prolong the conflict and undermine ongoing efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.
The group called on all parties to de-escalate and engage constructively within the framework of the UN-led political process.
The A3 reaffirms its firm support for the efforts of the Special Envoy and for the United Nations-led mediation process aimed at achieving a comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable political settlement. A lasting resolution can only be achieved through an inclusive, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process.
The group also addressed the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, which has reached a critical and alarming stage, urging the international community to maintain and increase humanitarian funding.
The group also expressed deep concern over the continued detention by the Houthi terrorist militias of UN staff, humanitarian workers, NGO employees, civil society representatives, and individuals associated with diplomatic missions, calling for the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all detainees.
The group welcomed the recently reached UN-brokered agreement to release more than 1,600 detainees, emphasizing the importance of building on this positive momentum to ensure its full implementation.
The A3 reiterated its support for the legitimate aspirations of the Yemeni people, and affirming that the path to lasting peace lies in dialogue, consensus and sustainable political participation.
Moreover, The United States confirmed its support for the Yemeni government and its Gulf partners in facing the terrorist threat posed by the Iran-backed Houthi militias.
U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Tammy Bruce, reiterated in her speech at an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Yemen that her country is committed to working with Security Council members to use all available tools, including sanctions, to help reach a peaceful solution to the conflict in Yemen and maintain international peace and security.
She pointed out that the Iranian regime continues to support the Houthi terrorist militias and violate the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen, stressing that Tehran keeps undermining peace efforts and threatening international navigation security and regional stability.
Bruce “An Iranian plane coming from Tehran arrived on July 3 at Sana’a airport, which is under the control of the Houthi terrorist militias, to transport members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, including experts in drones and missiles, in support of the militias, under the cover of transporting Houthi officials to participate in the funeral of the former Iranian Supreme Leader”.
She added that this type of support enables the Houthis to continue terrorizing the Yemeni people and threatening freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, noting that this is the first time Iran has offered such public support at this level since the attempt to operate Mahan Air flights to Sana’a in 2015, which was foiled at the time.
She highlighted that this step represents a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216, which prohibits supplying the Houthis with weapons, military equipment, technical assistance, training or any support related to military activities, including drones and missiles.
Bruce said “Houthi militias, over nearly a decade and with Iranian support, have significantly developed their military capabilities by carrying out repeated drone and missile attacks across the border and using cluster munitions, which is clear evidence of receiving external support in violation of the arms embargo imposed on them”.
She pointed out that a second Iranian plane entered Yemeni airspace on the morning of the session, despite public instructions from the Yemeni government not to do so, considering Iran’s deliberate disregard for Yemen’s sovereignty and Security Council resolutions unacceptable.
She also accused Iran of violating UN Security Council Resolution 2817, stressing that Tehran continues its direct attacks and attacks through its proxies against neighboring countries and maritime navigation, despite the international consensus calling on it to stop these assaults.
Bruce urged the Security Council to send a clear and firm message to Iran that its repeated violations of international law are unacceptable and must stop.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK) confirmed its steadfast support for Yemen’s sovereignty, independence, the unity and territorial integrity of the country, emphasizing the need for all UN member states to adhere to these principles and to the obligations outlined in the UN Charter.
Acting UK Ambassador to the UN, Kate Foster, said in a speech at a UN Security Council session on Yemen “This meeting, called by the UK alongside the United States, France and Bahrain, comes in support of Yemen’s sovereignty and regional security.”
She expressed deep concern over reports that two Iranian planes landed in Yemen on July 3 and 13 without obtaining permission from the relevant Yemeni authorities, considering this a clear violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and international law.
Foster said that any information proving that the two planes transported military personnel, experts or equipment to support the military capabilities of the Houthi militias would raise serious concerns and point to a violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2216 and 2140.
She called for these allegations to be investigated through UN mechanisms, including the expert team, and for full cooperation with those efforts.
She confirmed her country’s rejection of any attempts to strengthen the Houthis’ military capabilities, as that contributes to destabilizing Yemen and regional security.
The UK reaffirmed its commitment to work with Security Council members, regional partners and the Yemeni government to support calm, implement Security Council resolutions, and push for a lasting political resolution to the conflict in Yemen.
“The Yemeni people deserve progress toward peace, economic recovery, and stability, not actions that deepen tensions in the region and increase the chances of renewed fighting”, she said.
The Republic of France condemned Iran for undermining the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen and violating international law by landing its planes in Sana’a on July 3 and in Hodeidah on July 13 without the approval of Yemen’s legitimate authorities.
In its statement at the emergency UN Security Council meeting on Yemen, delivered by its permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), France reaffirmed its full commitment to Yemen’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and considered the Iranian violation as a reflection of Tehran’s destabilizing behavior in the region.
This was clearly evidenced in the resumption of clashes in the Persian Gulf since July 7 and the announcement of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the need to stop these actions immediately and permanently.
The French diplomat said “Iran by supporting the Houthis, poses a threat to international peace and security, and violates this Council’s resolutions by failing to meet its obligations under the arms embargo set out in Resolution 2216 (2015), which was extended to include the Houthis as an entity under Resolution 2624 (2022).”
France called on the Houthi terrorist militias to halt destabilizing actions, including targeting Saudi Arabia, and in this regard reaffirmed its solidarity with the Kingdom.
France Permanent Representative to UN pointed to threats from the Houthi militias to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, reaffirming the need to maintain maritime security and freedom of navigation, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024).
Paris announced that it will continue its participation in the European operation ‘EU NAVFOR ASPIDES,’ following international law, with a strictly defensive approach, and in coordination with its European and international partners.
France accused the Houthis of deliberately continuing to obstruct humanitarian work, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN staff, NGO personnel, and members of diplomatic missions who are being held arbitrarily.
France emphasized that these detentions, like attacks on humanitarian workers, are unacceptable and go against international humanitarian law, UN Security Council Resolution 2730 (2024), and international human rights law.
France has once again expressed its full support for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg, stressing that there is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen. It stated that the detainee release agreement announced on May 14 is a step in the right direction and called for its implementation without delay.
France also restated its stance that the only way to end the crisis in Yemen is through a comprehensive political process, under UN sponsorship and with the participation of women and all components of Yemeni society.
The Hellenic Republic affirmed that Yemen’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence must be fully respected, including Yemen’s national airspace, in accordance with international law.
In a statement delivered at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East – (Yemen) by its UN representative, Aglaia Balta, said “Yemen once again stands at a dangerous crossroads, posing serious challenges to regional peace, security, and stability.”
She pointed out that the Houthi threats to maritime and air security, including explicit threats of using force against neighboring countries, are not just words but represent a direct attack on regional stability, affirming its unconditional condemnation.
Greece reiterated its strong support for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg, to facilitate an inclusive political process led and owned by Yemenis, under the auspices of the UN, while fully respecting Yemen’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and unity.
It added that maritime security in the Red Sea should be an integral part of this process.
The Greek diplomat pointed out that freedom of navigation in the Red Sea is not just a regional luxury but a global lifeline, emphasizing the need for international shipping routes to remain open, safe, and protected, and for commercial vessels to be safeguarded at all times according to international law.
She said “Enforcing sanctions is not optional, and full compliance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the existing UN sanctions regime, including the arms embargo on the Houthis under Security Council Resolution 2216 and subsequent related resolutions, remains vital.”
Also, Denmark has voiced concern over what it described as Iran’s violations of the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Yemen, reaffirming its condemnation of Iranian support for the Houthi terrorist militia.
Addressing a United Nations Security Council session on Yemen, Denmark’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen, said that “the most viable path to peace and stability in Yemen remains negotiations and an inclusive UN-led political process.”
She reiterated Denmark’s full support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen to facilitate dialogue among the parties.
Lassen stressed the importance of full compliance with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including respect for Yemen’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
She added that Iran’s destabilizing actions have had long-term negative consequences for the Middle East, calling on both Iran and the Houthi militia to refrain from dragging Yemen into a broader regional conflict.
She warned that any further escalation would heighten regional tensions and undermine ongoing efforts to restore stability.
The Danish envoy also condemned the Houthi militia’s continued arbitrary detention of United Nations personnel, employees of non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions for more than two years.
She called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, noting that these violations have forced the United Nations to reassess its direct operations in areas facing severe humanitarian conditions, even as some humanitarian organizations continue to operate on the ground despite significant risks.