NEW YORK, United States – The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the escalation of fighting in Yemen, warning that the violence risks widening the conflict and worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis.
In a press statement issued on Friday, the Council said attacks affecting civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia had injured civilians, including women and children.
The members reiterated their condemnation of Houthi missile attacks on Saudi territory and attacks and threats against commercial vessels operating in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
They called for the protection of commercial ships and their crews and stressed that navigational rights and freedoms must be respected in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“The members of the Security Council demanded the Houthis immediately cease their military escalation and their attacks impacting civilians and civilian objects,” the statement said.
The Council also urged the full implementation of Resolution 2216 of 2015 and subsequent resolutions concerning Yemen. It called for greater international cooperation to prevent the Houthis from acquiring weapons, military equipment, technical assistance, training and financing.
UN member states were reminded of their obligations under the targeted arms embargo imposed against the group.
The Security Council expressed grave concern over reports of civilian deaths and injuries during the latest escalation in Yemen. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, at least 125,000 people have been displaced across the country since the beginning of September.
The Council warned that continued hostilities could force more people from their homes and further aggravate Yemen’s humanitarian emergency.
It called on all parties to facilitate full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access while protecting aid workers, UN employees and other personnel operating in the country.
The members also demanded the unconditional and immediate release of detainees held by the Houthis, including 73 UN workers and personnel from non-governmental organisations, civil society groups and diplomatic missions.
According to the statement, Houthi advances around the Bab al-Mandab, combined with attacks on Saudi Arabia and threats to international shipping, could undermine maritime security, disrupt global trade and weaken regional and international efforts to secure peace in Yemen.
The Security Council expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and affirmed the kingdom’s right to self-defence under international law.
It also reaffirmed its support for Yemen’s internationally recognised government and the country’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
The Council backed the work of UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and called on all parties to participate constructively in efforts to reach a negotiated, inclusive and Yemeni-led political settlement.
It stressed that sustainable peace in Yemen could not be achieved through violence, coercion or the use of force.
