UN Secretary-General on Yemen: Call for Political Settlement and Release of Detained Staff

Briefing on Yemen Situation

• 🌍 The UN Secretary-General briefed the Security Council on the escalating tensions in Yemen following recent advances by forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Hadramawt and al-Mahra.
• ⚠️ Unilateral actions are seen as detrimental to peace, deepening divisions and increasing the risk of wider escalation, with potential ramifications for regional security including the Red Sea and Horn of Africa.

Call for Dialogue and Political Settlement

• 🗣️ All parties are urged to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions, and resolve differences through dialogue, including regional stakeholders.
• 🕊️ Yemen requires a sustainable, negotiated political settlement that embraces the aspirations of all Yemenis and ends the devastating conflict.
• 💔 The Yemeni people continue to pay a terrible price, with millions needing humanitarian assistance and millions more displaced.

Condemnation of Arbitrary Detention

• ⚖️ The UN strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of 59 UN colleagues and partner personnel, as well as staff from NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions.
• 🚫 A call is made for their immediate and unconditional release in accordance with international law.
• 🚨 The referral of three UN colleagues to a special criminal court by de facto authorities is condemned, and the charges related to their official duties must be dropped.

UN Commitment to Yemen

• 🤝 Despite challenges, the UN remains committed to providing life-saving support to millions across Yemen.
• 🚀 With adequate funding and operational space, the UN can significantly increase its assistance.
• ✅ The path to peace is possible, and the UN is committed to supporting the Yemeni people, urging constructive engagement with the Special Envoy and prioritizing dialogue over violence.