‘Take Steps to De-escalate’, UN Official Urges Parties in Yemen, as Security Council Speakers Condemn Unauthorized Iranian Flights into Sana’a, Hudaydah

'Take Steps to De-escalate', UN Official Urges Parties in Yemen, as Security Council Speakers Condemn Unauthorized Iranian Flights into Sana'a, Hudaydah

(Note: Due to the financial liquidity crisis affecting the United Nations and the resulting constraints, the full press release will be published at a later time.)

Holding an emergency meeting following reports of unauthorized Iranian flights to and from Yemen in recent days, the Security Council today heard, once again, that de-escalation must be the priority so that Yemen is not further entangled in the conflict destabilizing the region.

The Council recently heard from the UN's Special Envoy for Yemen that the conflict in that country remains unresolved despite relative calm prevailing since the Aden-based Government and Sana'a-based Houthis announced a truce in April 2022. However, fears persist that heightened regional insecurity ignited by Israel and the United States attacking Iran on 28 February will spread to Yemen. This, in turn, implicates maritime security in crucial shipping lanes.

"Recent developments in Yemen are a stark reminder that there is no alternative to an inclusive, Yemeni-owned political process," said Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations. He pointed to reports of an Iranian aircraft traveling between Tehran and Sana'a International Airport on 3 July, transporting a Houthi delegation to attend the funeral of Iran's late supreme leader.

"Today, additional concerning developments took place," he said, noting reports of another Iranian plane carrying a returning Houthi delegation from Tehran to Hudaydah International Airport. This followed reports of airstrikes at the airport in Sana'a, which the Houthis attributed to Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Government said were intended to prevent the Iranian flight from landing there. The Houthis then announced the "end of the de-escalation phase" with Saudi Arabia, and reportedly launched ballistic missiles against that country, which were intercepted.

With Political Will, Progress Is Possible

Underscoring that "Yemen and the wider region cannot afford another cycle of escalation", he called on all actors to constructively engage in negotiations to ensure de-escalation and advance sustainable civilian air access, among other priorities. He pointed out that the UN-brokered truce of April 2022 and recent agreement to release over 1,600 conflict-related detainees demonstrate that practical steps and mutually acceptable agreements are possible.

By contrast, "unilateral measures will not bring Yemen closer to peace", he stressed, urging all parties to "choose dialogue over violence" and refrain from measures that could "undermine the prospects for peace". He also observed that regional de-escalation can create a more conducive environment for reviving the political process in Yemen, calling on all parties to "take required steps to de-escalate".

Providing further reason to do so was Indrika Ratwatte, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, who outlined a humanitarian crisis in Yemen compounded by worsening food insecurity, the expected impact of El Niño on food production and livelihoods and an unprecedented fall in humanitarian funding.

Humanitarian Crisis Unabated: 'Every Funding Cut Has a Human Face'

Yemen, he said, has the largest population facing emergency levels of food insecurity and, over the past year alone, 450 health facilities - including 76 hospitals - have closed due to a lack of resources. "Families face the excruciating choice [of] whether to buy food or medicine, whether to keep children in school or send them to work, whether to stay where they are or move again in search of safety and opportunity," he emphasized.

Meanwhile, he reported that limited assistance leaves many with less support than they need - or none at all. "Every funding cut has a human face", he stressed. Reduced aid translates to fewer children receiving nutrition treatment, fewer health facilities to meet basic needs and fewer protection services for women and girls. He also pointed out that regional tensions reverberate deeply inside Yemen, through increased prices for fuel and food.

"Do not allow Yemen to be drawn further into regional instability," he urged, also stressing to donors that "this is not the moment to step back". He also joined Mr. Khiari in calling on the Council to advocate for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained civilian personnel, including 73 from the United Nations.

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