The United Nations (UN) Security Council expressed its concern this Friday over the increasing tensions in Yemen and called to avoid any actions that could jeopardize diplomatic efforts to achieve peace or compromise regional and international security.
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Members of this body condemned in a statement the unauthorized landings of aircraft recorded on July 3 at Sana’a International Airport and on July 13 in Hudaydah, considering that they occurred without the consent of the Yemeni government and violated international civil aviation regulations.
The Council also censured missile attacks attributed to the Houthis against Saudi Arabia since July 13, as well as actions directed against commercial vessels from July 22, in a context of growing tension in the region.
Likewise, the United Nations body reiterated its support for the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Yemen and emphasized that these principles must also be respected regarding Yemeni airspace.
In this regard, it stated that all flights destined for airports in the country must be coordinated with the recognized Yemeni authorities and have prior authorization.
Similarly, Security Council members defended the need to maintain “safe, secure, and sustainable” air access to facilitate humanitarian and civilian operations, always in coordination with the Yemeni government and within the framework established by International Law and civil aviation standards.
Given the deterioration of the regional situation, the commission warned that recent actions represent a threat to security in the area and to navigation rights and freedoms.
In their view, they also increase the risk of a new escalation and hinder international efforts aimed at reaching a political solution in Yemen.
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Therefore, members of the body called on the Houthi rebels to avoid any steps that could intensify hostilities and urged the movement to resort to existing dialogue mechanisms to address their differences and help reduce tensions.
The Security Council finally reiterated its support for the United Nations special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, and his efforts to reach a negotiated political agreement that is inclusive and led and owned by the Yemenis themselves, in accordance with previously agreed references and relevant resolutions of the body.
This statement comes after Grundberg warned of the risk of a resumption of large-scale conflict in the country, which would be the most dangerous moment since the UN-brokered truce in April 2022.
The special envoy’s warning came amid a new escalation of Houthi attacks inside Yemen and against targets linked to Saudi Arabia and commercial navigation.
The Houthis have controlled Sana’a and large areas of northern and western Yemeni territory since 2014, while the internationally recognized government maintains its main power base in Aden, in the south.
The conflict in that country has lasted more than a decade and has also taken on a regional dimension due to the involvement of various powers and actors from the Middle East.
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