ASG Khiari's remarks to the Security Council on developments in Yemen [as delivered]
Countries: Yemen, Djibouti Source: UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs New York, UN Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific Mr. President, The situation in and around the Bab al Mandab Strait has become increasingly volatile in recent days. Further to the briefing of Special Envoy Grundberg to this Council on 10 September, fighting has intensified along Yemen’s west coast, as the Houthis continued their advance towards the Bab al Mandab Strait, reportedly capturing several islands in the southern Red Sea. According to maritime tracking sites, commercial shipping flows through the Red Sea appear to remain unaffected for the time being. Nevertheless, the Houthi advance has added to market concerns, amid continuing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. In parallel, the Government of Yemen reportedly launched a counteroffensive following the Houthi advances over the past week, with localized clashes reported across several frontlines in Marib, Lahj, Al-Jawf, Hajjah, Al-Bayda and Sa’ada. The counteroffensive, reportedly including extensive airstrikes, also extends to Taiz. Unconfirmed estimates indicate hundreds of combatant casualties in recent days. Mr. President, The impact of these hostilities also extends to the civilian population, forcing people to flee their homes, causing civilian casualties and putting already stretched humanitarian operations under growing pressure. Our colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warn that at least 125,000 people have now been displaced across Yemen since the start of the month. Over this same period, the UN Human Rights Office has reported 40 civilian casualties – eight people killed and 32 others injured. Women and children account for half of those killed and more than half of those injured. Meanwhile, across the Red Sea in Djibouti, UN teams are working closely with the Government of Djibouti in response to the arrival of people fleeing the latest escalation of conflict in Yemen. As of 14 September, approximately 2,300 people had arrived in the Obock region in northern Djibouti. Registration is continuing, and further arrivals are expected. We call on all parties to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law, and facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access so that urgently needed assistance can reach communities in need. Mr. President, The ongoing escalation is not limited to the Bab al Mandab Strait and Yemen. On 14 September, the spokesperson for the Saudi coalition forces said 13 individuals were injured, and seven residences were damaged in Houthi missile and drone strikes on Abha, Khamis Mushait, and Taif in Saudi Arabia. On 12 September, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemned the targeting of the East-West Pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions by several drones reportedly launched from an area inside Iraq. The attacks reportedly resulted in injuries and material damage. The strikes caused the pipeline to shut down for repairs, interrupting the crucial artery Saudi Arabia had been using as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated it had decided to avoid escalatory countermeasures following a request from Iraq’s Prime Minister. On 12 September, the Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister released a statement expressing appreciation for “the Kingdom’s response to the efforts made by Iraq to contain the situation.” The statement also noted that Prime Minister al-Zaidi had ordered an urgent investigation into the attacks and the parties behind them. Iraq also reaffirmed that “its territory and airspace will not be a launching pad for aggression against any State”. Mr. President, On 14 September, the Houthis claimed to have targeted the King Khaled Airbase in Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia with several ballistic missiles and drones in response to “300 Saudi airstrikes over the past five days”. This follows an earlier attack on 8 September on civilian and economic targets across Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran in southern Saudi Arabia, reportedly injuring 73 civilians, including women and children. We reiterate our firm condemnation of Houthi cross-border attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Navigational rights and freedoms in and around the Red Sea and the Bab al Mandab Strait must be fully restored and respected by all, in accordance with international law and consistent with relevant resolutions of this Council, including resolution 2722. We remain concerned by the continued intensification of military clashes across multiple frontlines in Yemen, and call upon all parties to exercise restraint, prevent further escalation, and engage constructively with UN-led political efforts. Mr. President, We remain deeply concerned by the continued instability affecting another critical maritime waterway in the region – the Strait of Hormuz. Navigational rights and freedoms in and around international maritime corridors must be fully restored and respected in accordance with international law. The longer the Strait remains choked, the higher the cost globally. Further escalation risks grave consequences for international peace and security, global energy markets, food security, and the economies of countries far beyond the region, particularly the most vulnerable. All parties must take every feasible precaution to protect civilian vessels, crews and infrastructure. Mr. President, Developments around the Bab al-Mandab underline the urgent need to prevent Yemen’s conflict from further threatening the security of the Red Sea and this vital international maritime route. What is needed now is sustained engagement that reduces tensions, prevents further escalation and safeguards freedom of navigation. The parties in Yemen should prioritize dialogue and engage constructively with UN-led efforts toward a negotiated political solution. Thank you.
ReliefWeb•UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs15 Sept
