Yemen UN envoy warns Security Council of regional escalation amid Iran-backed Houthi attacks

UN envoy Hans Grundberg warned the Security Council that Yemen faces its greatest risk of renewed war since 2022, as Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and fighting in Marib, Hadramaut, and Mokha threaten regional escalation. He urged deescalation and a lasting ceasefire, while UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher reported that over half of Yemen's population faces acute food insecurity, with 6 million at emergency levels.

UN envoy Hans Grundberg warned the Security Council that Yemen faces its greatest risk of renewed war since 2022, as fighting intensifies between the Iran-backed Houthis and Yemen's Saudi-supported army. He reported that Houthi attacks in Marib, Hadramaut, Mokha, and other areas have resulted in military and civilian casualties, and warned that renewed attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden could pull Yemen deeper into regional conflict. Grundberg urged the parties to immediately deescalate and pursue a lasting ceasefire, saying a negotiated 'off-ramp' remained possible and calling on countries with influence to help return them to negotiations. The warning comes amid a severe humanitarian crisis. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told the council that more than half of Yemen's population is experiencing acute food insecurity, with about 6 million people at 'Emergency' levels of food deprivation, approaching famine conditions. Grundberg and Fletcher also called for the release of 73 UN personnel held by the Houthis, along with workers from NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions. Efforts to free conflict-related detainees have made limited progress; preparations for the release of more than 1,600 detainees under a May agreement were moving slowly. Tensions have intensified around commercial shipping. The Houthis announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea on July 20, saying it was a response to a Saudi siege of Yemen, which Riyadh denied. A Saudi-led coalition later launched airstrikes against what it described as Houthi military facilities in Hodeidah, saying the sites were connected to threats against commercial shipping.