The United Nations Security Council expressed this Friday its concern over the increase in tension in Yemen and demanded that any movement that could endanger diplomatic efforts to achieve peace or that affects regional and international stability be avoided.
In a joint statement, the members of the body condemned the unauthorized landings of aircraft recorded on July 3 at Sana'a International Airport and on July 13 in Hudaydah, understanding that they took place without the approval of the Yemeni Executive and that they violated international civil aviation standards.
The Council also criticized the missile attacks attributed to the Houthis against Saudi Arabia since July 13, as well as the actions against commercial vessels that began on July 22, in a context of increasing tension in the area.
At the same time, the Security Council reaffirmed its support for the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Yemen, insisting that these principles must also be respected regarding the country's airspace. In this regard, it emphasized that all flights destined for Yemeni airports must be coordinated with the recognized authorities of Yemen and have their prior authorization.
The members of the Council also defended the importance of ensuring "safe, secure, and sustainable" air access to facilitate both humanitarian and civilian operations, always in coordination with the Yemeni government and in accordance with International Law and civil aviation standards.
In light of the worsening regional context, the body warned that the latest actions pose a threat to security in the region and to navigation rights and freedoms, while increasing the risk of a new escalation and hindering international efforts to reach a political solution to the Yemeni conflict.
Consequently, the members of the Council called on the Houthi rebels to refrain from any initiative that could aggravate hostilities and encouraged them to use the existing dialogue channels to address their differences and contribute to de-escalation.
The Security Council also reiterated its support for the United Nations special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, and his efforts to achieve a negotiated, inclusive political agreement led by the Yemenis themselves, in line with the previously agreed references and the relevant resolutions of the body.
This statement comes after Grundberg has warned of the risk of a resumption of large-scale conflict in the country, in what would be the most dangerous moment since the UN-sponsored truce in April 2022. The special envoy's warning arrives amid a new wave of Houthi attacks within Yemen and against targets linked to Saudi Arabia and commercial navigation.
The Houthis have controlled Sana'a and large areas of the north and west since 2014, while the internationally recognized government maintains its main stronghold in Aden, in the south. The war in Yemen has lasted more than a decade and has taken on a regional dimension due to the involvement of various powers and actors from the Middle East.