Grundberg: Yemen risks sliding deeper into Middle East military escalation (briefing transcript)

The UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said that the military escalation in the Middle East threatens to spiral out of control, and that Yemen is part of this escalation and faces the risk of sliding deeper.

“This year has been particularly difficult for UN staff and aid workers in the region, and in Yemen, the Houthis continue to arbitrarily detain UN staff, civil society workers and members of diplomatic missions,” Grundberg added in a briefing to the UN Security Council on recent developments and progress of peace efforts.

Regarding the Houthi attacks on Israel and the Red Sea, and the US-Israeli airstrikes in Yemen, the UN envoy said: “This mutual escalation jeopardizes hopes for peace and stability, and diverts focus away from the urgent need to address the internal crisis in Yemen.”

Grundberg explained that Yemenis are witnessing a narrowing of spaces for effective participation, as they face arrests, threats and intimidation, especially in areas controlled by the Houthis, calling for the release of all those arbitrarily detained, including 17 UN employees.

“The arrests, accompanied by vague and false accusations and a complete absence of any fair legal process, aim to discredit and create an environment of fear and mistrust. Civil society workers and human rights defenders deserve strong protection measures and international support to continue their work safely,” he added.

The UN envoy stressed that "a peaceful solution in Yemen is the most feasible path, and it is achievable, and the Yemeni people need continuous and unified international support," stressing that the parties' commitments to developing a roadmap constitute the necessary foundations for achieving peace in Yemen.

In response to these attacks, the United States launched airstrikes on four Yemeni governorates, and Israel also carried out airstrikes on Hodeidah. Reports of casualties in Hodeidah and damage to the city’s essential infrastructure are deeply worrying. This tit-for-tat escalation is dragging Yemen deeper into regional conflict, threatening its hopes for peace and stability. Moreover, it is diverting attention away from the urgent need to address Yemen’s internal crisis.

Yemenis continue to yearn for peace and work to achieve it after more than nine years of conflict that has devastated the country, displaced millions, torn families apart, and devastated the economy. Yet they are seeing spaces for meaningful engagement and peacebuilding shrink, and are subjected to arbitrary arrests, death threats, and intimidation, particularly in areas controlled by Ansar Allah. I call on Ansar Allah to immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, including 17 UN staff members – four women and one of my team members – and to end the campaign of arrests. I count on this Council’s support in delivering this clear message.

Madam President, I have recently spoken with several civil society organizations, women’s groups, activists, and local peacemakers, who have shared with me how deeply affected they are by the recent wave of arbitrary arrests carried out by Ansar Allah. These arrests, accompanied by vague and false charges and a complete lack of due process, are intended to discredit and create an environment of fear and mistrust. The recent referral of some detainees for so-called “criminal prosecution” is a further blow to our collective efforts to build peace and stability in Yemen. I have repeatedly made clear to Ansar Allah that such actions do not reflect an intention to negotiate peace.

Civil society activists and human rights defenders continue to play a crucial role in addressing urgent humanitarian needs and promoting social cohesion. They deserve strong protection and international support to enable them to continue their work safely.

Madam President, since my last briefing to this Council, I have engaged in constructive discussions with Yemeni and international stakeholders during my visits to New York, Tehran, and Moscow. In addition to seeking support for the release of detainees, my meetings focused on delivering two key messages that I would like to share with this Council. First, a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Yemen is not only the most realistic way forward, but more importantly, it is achievable. Second, the people of Yemen need sustained and unified international support, and we must all remain committed to making peace a reality.

These are not just aspirations. We have the ingredients and the tools to pave the way. Let me be clear:

First, we have the commitments made by the parties to a roadmap that includes a nationwide ceasefire, addressing humanitarian and economic needs, and preparing for a comprehensive political process. Despite the escalation, these commitments remain a fundamental foundation for peacebuilding in Yemen and are points of reference in our discussions with the parties. In support of these discussions, my Office this month began political dialogue sessions with representatives of Yemeni political parties and civil society components, with the active participation of women and youth.

Second, on the military front, we are seeing relative calm on the front lines, and despite occasional flare-ups that remind us of the fragility of the situation, channels of communication with senior military leadership through the Military Coordination Committee remain active, reinforcing the message that the foundations being laid now will be critical to ensuring the stability of the future ceasefire and other security arrangements. We recently hosted a delegation from the Government of Yemen to plan and prepare for a nationwide ceasefire mechanism, and we look forward to holding additional sessions with Ansar Allah and other partners in the near future.

Third, on the economic side, we have identified options at the technical level and are urging the parties that cooperation on economic issues is the only way to achieve economic stability and sustainability. We remain in close contact with key stakeholders, particularly in the banking sector, where the potential collapse of a major commercial bank highlights the urgent need for cooperation. Madam President, let me be clear. The necessary tools are available. I call on the parties to demonstrate the necessary will and put the needs of Yemenis first. In this context, I look forward to Dr. Najat Juman’s briefing.

Madam President, as we mark the anniversary of the adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, we must recognize the heavy burden that Yemeni women continue to bear in this conflict and appreciate their courage. Yemeni women have been at the forefront of peacebuilding efforts for years, and today it is more important than ever that we amplify their voices. I call on all parties to empower women to shape the decisions that will pave the way for lasting peace in Yemen.

To this end, my Office, in collaboration with UN Women, has held focused consultations with over 400 Yemeni women and men to date to advance the vision for a comprehensive peace process in Yemen. These consultations seek to ensure women’s meaningful participation in negotiations and lay the foundations for a more inclusive and sustainable peace. These efforts reflect our commitment to promoting women’s direct participation in all tracks of the peace process.

Madam President, my Office remains committed to pursuing every opportunity for peace in Yemen. The parties must demonstrate their commitment to peace through concrete steps, including the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained. Yemen needs unity of purpose now more than ever. I want to reiterate that despite the broader regional conflict, peace in Yemen is still possible, and we must remain committed to that goal.

This Council carries the hopes of the international community that conflicts can be resolved through international cooperation and diplomacy. As Special Envoy for Yemen, I convey the aspirations of the Yemeni people and call on this Council to come together to stop the bloodshed and support all efforts to achieve peace in a region that so desperately needs it. Thank you, Madam President.