Published on: 2026-07-14
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
July 13, 2026 Peace and Security
The recent events in Yemen have demonstrated the absence of an alternative to a comprehensive political process led by the Yemenis themselves. This was stated by the UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific region, Khaled Khiari, during a Security Council meeting convened on Monday. According to him, a long-term resolution of the conflict is only possible through negotiations and the achievement of a political agreement mediated by the UN.
The reason for the discussion in the Security Council was recent incidents related to air traffic between Iran and Houthi-controlled territories of Yemen. According to available data, on July 3, an Iranian plane flew from Tehran to Sanaa International Airport and back, delivering a Houthi delegation to the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader. In a letter to the UN Security Council dated July 6 of this year, the Yemeni government called this flight a violation of its airspace and sovereignty.
Another Iranian plane carrying a delegation of Houthis returning from Tehran reportedly landed at Hodeidah airport on July 13. This was preceded by reports of airstrikes on Sana’a International Airport. The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack, while the Yemeni government stated that the strikes targeted the runway to prevent the Iranian plane from landing.
After these events, the government of Yemen once again warned Tehran about the inadmissibility of unauthorized flights. The Houthis, in turn, announced the end of the de-escalation period in relations with Saudi Arabia and launched ballistic missiles towards it, which were intercepted.
Khiyari recalled that previously the parties had managed to reach practical agreements. In particular, the ceasefire brokered by the UN in April 2022 allowed the resumption of commercial flights between Sana’a and Amman. The UN Deputy Secretary-General emphasized that such results become possible with political will, readiness for compromise, and support from the international community.
Hiri called on all parties to refrain from unilateral actions that could deepen the divide and lead to a resumption of hostilities. Furthermore, he demanded the immediate and unconditional release of 73 UN staff members, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations, civil society, and diplomatic missions, who continue to be held by the Houthis. Hiri emphasized that the United Nations remains committed to supporting the political process aimed at ending the long-standing conflict and preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen.
Deterioration of the humanitarian situation
Speaking on behalf of the UN Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, Acting Assistant Secretary-General Indrika Ratwatte stated that the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is deepening precisely at the moment when the international community’s capacity to provide assistance has drastically decreased. According to him, the country is simultaneously facing increasing food insecurity, the expected impacts of the El Niño climate phenomenon on agriculture, and an unprecedented reduction in humanitarian funding.
According to the UN, more than 18 million people in Yemen are experiencing food shortages. Malnutrition continues to threaten the lives of millions of children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. At the same time, the population faces economic decline, mass displacement, disease outbreaks, and the destruction of the basic public service system.
The state of the healthcare system is of particular concern to the UN. Due to chronic underfunding, 450 medical facilities, including 76 hospitals, have been closed in Yemen over the past year. Many families are forced to choose between buying food and medicine, as well as between sending their children to school or to work.
The speaker expressed particular concern about the closure of Sana’a International Airport: residents of areas controlled by the Houthis have lost the ability to travel abroad freely for medical care. Now many patients have to undertake long and potentially dangerous journeys to Aden to fly out from there.
“The people of Yemen have shown incredible resilience, and they deserve more – the opportunity to rebuild the country and live in decent conditions,” concluded Indrika Ratwatte.
Please be advised; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.