Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 15, 2025 Peace and security
The situation in Yemen remains extremely tense amid escalating regional violence and arbitrary detentions of UN staff, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the country Hans Grundberg told the Security Council on Monday.
“The recent wave of arbitrary detentions of 22 United Nations staff in Sanaa and Hodeida represents a flagrant escalation by Ansar Allah against the UN,” he stressed, adding that more than 40 staff remain in detention and one of those detained has died.
Grundberg said such actions, including the violent seizure of UN premises and property, "threaten the very ability of the Organization to facilitate peace efforts and provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Yemen."
The rapporteur also added that in addition to UN staff, thousands of Yemenis are detained as a result of the conflict. He expressed solidarity with all those arbitrarily detained and reiterated his call for their immediate and unconditional release.
Regional conflict
Stressing the need for "an inclusive political process, nationwide economic reforms and a ceasefire," he called on the conflicting parties to return to negotiations.
At the same time, the Special Envoy noted that the situation in the country is inextricably linked to regional dynamics. "The unresolved conflict in Yemen is like a fault line that sends tremors beyond its borders and intensifies regional conflicts," he said. According to him, without stability in Yemen, there can be no stability in the region and vice versa – the situation in the region determines how events will develop in the country.
Against this backdrop, Grundberg added, the war in Gaza is accompanied by an “alarming and dangerous intensification of hostilities between Ansar Allah and Israel.” The Houthis continue to strike Israel, causing harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure. In response, Israeli airstrikes were recorded in August and September on Sanaa and other areas under the control of Ansar Allah. In particular, the strikes on August 28 claimed the lives of high-ranking members of the movement, some of whom were in contact with the Special Envoy’s office. “This cycle of escalation must end,” Grundberg noted.
Mass famine
In turn, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher reminded members of the Security Council that Yemen is among the three countries with the worst food situation in the world.
“Another million people will be on the brink of extreme hunger by February next year, in addition to the 17 million Yemenis who already lack food,” he warned. More than 70 percent of households, he said, are unable to meet their daily food needs.
Fletcher said humanitarian efforts included distributing food and essential supplies, as well as supporting water and health facilities. However, he said funding shortages and deteriorating conditions were preventing aid from being delivered on the scale needed.
"The funding cuts are costing lives. In addition to the food security crisis, two million women and girls have lost access to reproductive health services. And in Yemen, one pregnant woman is already dying every two hours," the UN deputy chief said.
He concluded with a call to action for the Security Council. According to Fletcher, members of the Security Council should use their influence to ensure the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained staff. They should also return UN premises occupied by security forces and increase funding for humanitarian action. “We must not allow mass starvation to determine the future of Yemen,” Fletcher said.
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