The Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in Yemen and the continuous violations putting the life of civilians at risk. The envoy urges all parties to fulfill their obligations under the International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, and stresses the need to hold accountable whomsoever committed such violations of human rights.

The Special Envoy condemns targeting the city of Riyadh on 19/12/2017 with a ballistic missile. This is an escalation that hinders peace efforts in Yemen.

The Special Envoy calls for restraint and refrain from any acts of violence that would aggravate the already difficult humanitarian and security situation in the country.

The Special Envoy wishes to refer to the relevant Security Council resolutions that have emphasized the need for all parties to ensure the safety of civilians and facilitate unhindered and rapid delivery of humanitarian assistance. In this context, the Special Envoy welcomes the decision of the Arab Alliance to open the port of Hodeidah for humanitarian and relief access and allow commercial ships to enter for 30 days, and calls for the continuation of these measures thereafter.

The Special Envoy reiterates that there is no military solution to the crisis in Yemen and that the solution can only be achieved through a Yemeni-owned political process, with the facilitation of the United Nations and support from the international community. The Special Envoy stresses that any political solution must be decided by the Yemenis themselves without any foreign intervention.

The Special Envoy reiterates his earnest intention to redouble his efforts urgently to get in contact with all parties to prepare the resumption of a comprehensive and credible political process and calls upon all parties to facilitate his mission and work with him in good faith, and show maximum flexibility to reach a ceasefire and a comprehensive and consensual political solution, reaffirming that any delay can only lead to increasing the suffering of the Yemeni people at all levels.

Read the statement in Arabic