Thank you, Mr. President,
I would also like to thank Mr. Hans Grundberg and Ms. Reena Ghelani for their briefings.
Mr. President,
Yemen has reached a critical phase since the truce ended as the Houthi terrorist militia continues its aggressive approach with the Yemeni people and the legitimate government. This has, in turn, deepened the Houthis’ isolation at both the regional and international levels, and it demonstrates the magnitude of the threat they pose to regional peace and security.
Since our last session on Yemen, the Houthi militia has launched several terrorist attacks on oil facilities and oil tankers in Hadramout and Shabwah using unmanned aerial vehicles. These attacks, which the UAE strongly condemns, severely threaten international maritime navigation, global energy supplies, and the Yemeni economy. The Houthis have also bombed civilian objects and IDP camps in the Marib and Taiz governorates, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries, including women and children. In addition to bombing roads and bridges, such as the bridge linking Lahj and the besieged city of Taiz, the Houthis continue to commit the most heinous violations, including campaigns to arrest and intimidate civilians.
This onslaught of crimes reflects the Houthis determination to return to the way things were in Yemen prior to the truce – in contrast to regional and international efforts to renew it. Their crimes are exceedingly similar to the tactics deployed by other terrorist groups to achieve political gains by launching attacks against civilians.
And while the Presidential Leadership Council has shown significant flexibility and self-restraint, the Houthi militia continues to cling to untenable terms in the negotiations. Although several advantages of the truce remain in place, including the flow of oil derivatives through the port of Hodeidah and the arrival of commercial flights in Sana’a Airport, the Houthi militia continues to respond to any attempt to restore calm and build bridges with provocation. This behavior is no longer surprising from a group that has deliberately sought to foil the negotiations since the beginning of the crisis.
Mr. President,
The UAE continues to strongly support the Special Envoy’s efforts to reach an agreement that will renew and expand the truce. We reaffirm that a peaceful solution is the true path to end the conflict in Yemen and enable Yemenis to start reconstruction and building for the future. Now is the time to firmly agree on a solid ground to resume a comprehensive political process under the auspices of the United Nations. Opportunities for peace in Yemen remain open, but only if the Houthis commit to a political solution.
We reiterate our deep concern over continued violations of the arms embargo imposed by Resolutions 2216 and 2624. Last week, nearly 170 tons of explosive materials were seized in the Gulf of Oman by the US Navy. We affirm that any threat posed by the Houthi terrorist group to neighboring countries, including through missile launches or the use of UAVs, is considered a direct aggression against those countries and will be met with an immediate and firm response by the Arab coalition.
Mr. President,
With the considerable military escalation and targeting of economic interests, human suffering is increasing in Yemen. The Houthi attacks on oil facilities may have catastrophic environmental consequences in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. At the same time, the dilapidated FSO Safer Tanker remains a major environmental threat.
Additionally, the Houthi militia must remove all barriers that prevent humanitarian access in areas under its control and stop imposing restrictions on the movement of humanitarian workers, especially Yemeni women.
In conclusion, the UAE reaffirms its continued support to improve the living conditions in Yemen. We also emphasize the importance of continuing to speak with one voice in this Council against the aggressive behavior that undermines peace in Yemen. The Council should take deterrent measures, including through applying further pressure and imposing sanctions, to deter the Houthi terrorist militia from continuing to threaten the security of Yemen and the region.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Source: UAE Mission to UN