UN Envoy Warns Yemen Slips Back Into Full-Scale War

UN envoy Hans Grundberg warns that Yemen has slipped back into full-scale war. Fighting between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the internationally recognized government rages on. During a Security Council meeting last Friday, Grundberg said civilians face the worst brunt of this violence. Women and children suffer most. The instability in the Middle East directly impacts Yemen while events there shake the wider region. Regional security matters greatly so does freedom of navigation for international trade. Engagement must reflect local realities and people's needs. Unless war stops being Yemen's permanent reality, political strategies are needed now. Battlefield gains cannot replace necessary negotiations to settle this conflict. Grundberg urged Security Council members to back mediation efforts immediately.

At least 46 civilians have died since August according to the UN. More than 130 others suffer injuries. Children bear a disproportionate toll during these clashes. Abdullah Ali Fadhel al-Saadi, representing Yemen's government, told the council that Houthi threats are no longer just an internal affair. He called for decisive action to cut off funding, weapons, and technology flowing to the Iranian-backed group. Cooperation with the Yemeni government must strengthen. Al-Saadi thanked Riyadh for standing beside them and supporting state institutions. This comes as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia continue unabated. The King Khalid International Airport north of Riyadh faced two strikes on Thursday. Three Saudi citizens lost their lives in those attacks. Gulf states and European nations condemned the strike sharply. Switzerland's Foreign Affairs department called it unacceptable. Abdulaziz al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia's UN representative, said the council must address this dangerous escalation. He stated that rapid developments require immediate attention from the body. Riyadh will not let Yemen become a staging ground for threats against its security or freedom of navigation. The terrorist Houthi militias continue their aggression and must stop immediately.