September 12, 2024
Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you, Special Envoy Grundberg, Acting Under-Secretary-General Msuya, and Ms. Al Obahi for your briefings.
Over three months have passed since Houthi militants rounded up scores of UN staff, all of whom were working to bring life-saving assistance to the Yemeni people at the time of their detention.
We reiterate Secretary-General Guterres’ and the UN Special Envoy’s demands for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, including eleven U.S. diplomatic staff members held since 2021.
The Houthis continue to not only mistreat these detainees, but also seek to exploit them through the release of so-called “confession videos.” This shameless propaganda is appalling and should be universally condemned.
Houthi intimidation tactics have also increasingly focused on the remaining Yemeni staff of UN agencies and non-governmental organizations. Humanitarian workers in the Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen are increasingly worried about their safety. There is absolutely no justification for the threatening and intimidation of UN workers and others carrying out their lawful humanitarian work.
We believe the time is now for the UN to implement adjustments to its non-lifesaving programming and operations in Yemen to ensure the safety and security of all personnel.
The Houthis continued attacks against ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways also continue to threaten regional peace and security, as well as international navigational freedoms. These continued unjustified actions have already resulted in the tragic deaths of innocent mariners and continue to threaten the lives of Member States’ citizens and interests of the international community.
Every time the Houthis launch an attack, they not only threaten the lives of mariners from many nations, but also risk creating an environmental catastrophe from damage to oil tankers and other ships carrying hazardous materials.
The Houthis have made clear they care only about themselves. They are willing to destroy the fishing industry and regional ecosystems that Yemen and other communities in the region rely on for their livelihoods, just as they have undermined the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to the region.
The attack on the SOUNION, which holds over a million barrels of crude oil, is only the latest in a long line of examples. The Houthis struck not only the ship, but they set off secondary explosions and posted the videos online. They further threatened salvage crews, complicating an already challenging operation and risking the lives of more mariners.
This is unacceptable. The flouting of this Council’s Resolution 2722 cannot go unanswered. It is vital every member of this Council condemn the Houthis’ escalations and demand that they allow the SOUNION to be towed from the area without further delays.
And Council members should make clear to the Houthis’ backers in Tehran that they hold Iran responsible for arming and enabling the Houthis, in contravention of Resolution 2216, to carry out reckless attacks such as this one.
Again, it is troubling that some Council members remain silent in the face of such obvious threats to shared global interests.
Turning back to the situation inside Yemen, our thoughts remain with the families of those who lost their lives and with those now struggling to rebuild as they cope with unimaginable loss from the recent flooding in Yemen.
Amid these latest humanitarian challenges, additional support and technical assistance from the United States and other international partners are crucial.
The United States has already supported the efforts of the International Organization of Migration to help people in IDP camps in Marib, and we stand ready to help more to ensure the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons.
Colleagues, this is not the time for political posturing and disunity. It is time for the Council to work together to address the political, security, and humanitarian challenges that plague Yemenis.
Thank you, Mr. President.