UK condemns Houthis’ escalatory attacks
Yemen also grips with flooding
The United Kingdom has condemned the Houthis’ recent actions as “reckless” and “escalatory” in the face of an already dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
In a forceful address at the United Nations Security Council in New York on August 15, 2024, Ambassador James Kariuki, the UK’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered the statement, highlighting the urgent need for de-escalation and increased regional stability.
“The situation in Yemen is nothing short of desperate,” Ambassador Kariuki remarked, referring to the compounded effects of devastating flooding on top of an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. He condoned those affected and warned that further regional escalation could deepen the crisis.
The UK strongly criticised the Houthis’ recent attacks across the Middle East, including their operations in the Red Sea, which jeopardise international shipping lanes. Kariuki also highlighted troubling new reports linking the Houthis with Al Shabaab, denouncing these connections as part of a broader destabilising trend.
OHCHR office closure
In a pointed rebuke, the UK condemned the Houthis’ closure of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Sana’a. This action, coupled with the detention of UN, NGO, and former diplomatic staff earlier this year, has severely hampered the delivery of essential aid.
“These acts are blatant aggressions that will inflict further harm on the Yemeni people,” Kariuki said.
The UK’s statement underscores a critical demand for the Houthis to guarantee a safe and operational environment for humanitarian organisations, including the immediate release of detained individuals and the return of seized assets.
As the international community grapples with these developments, the UK urged all parties involved to exercise restraint and support ongoing efforts for an inclusive and sustainable peace in Yemen.
“It is our collective duty to ensure that the Yemeni people are not further distanced from the prospect of peace,” concluded Ambassador Kariuki.
The UN Security Council is expected to continue discussions on these urgent matters in the coming days as the international community seeks to address the escalating crisis in Yemen and the broader Middle East region.
Featured image: James Kariuki, the UK’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, addresses the UN Security Council in New York on August 15, 2024. Credit: UK Government
