The UN Security Council convened Wednesday to address the evolving situation in Yemen, amidst escalating tensions in the south and ongoing regional and political efforts to contain the crisis. These efforts coincide with international moves to support stability and differing perspectives on the security and political path forward for Yemen.
In his briefing to the Council, UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, emphasized that the future of southern Yemen cannot be decided unilaterally by any single party or imposed by force. He stressed that the security situation in parts of the south remains fragile and prone to deterioration.
Grundberg noted that the call for dialogue initiated by the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, presents an important opportunity to address existing tensions. He affirmed the United Nations’ commitment to transforming fragile stability into lasting peace that serves all Yemenis. He also highlighted the importance of the anticipated South-South dialogue in preparing for a UN-sponsored political process.
Yemen’s representative to the UN, Abdullah al-Saadi, stated that the Yemeni state has effectively begun to regain control over sovereign decision-making and the leadership of its security and military forces, after years of fragmentation and a vacuum exploited by militias. He emphasized that reclaiming military camps and deterring unilateral actions are a paramount national necessity to preserve the unity of the Presidential Leadership Council and the government, and to prevent the country from sliding into widespread chaos that threatens the state’s existence.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, expressed his country’s regret over the military operations carried out by the Southern Transitional Council near the Kingdom’s southern border, describing them as extremely dangerous steps for Saudi national security. The Saudi representative affirmed that the security of the Kingdom is a red line, indicating that these movements contradict the principles of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy. He also announced the commencement of preparations for a comprehensive South-South dialogue sponsored by Riyadh.
For his part, the UAE’s representative to the UN, Mohammed Abu Shahab, announced the completion of the withdrawal of all remaining UAE military forces from Yemen, clarifying that the violations…
