UN Warns Yemen’s Fragile Calm Is Fraying as Security Council Extends Red Sea Reporting
UN officials told the Security Council that aid is being choked by mass detentions, a collapsing health system, rising insecurity.
Overview
- Security Council members renewed for six months the monthly updates on Houthi attacks against shipping in the Red Sea, adopting the measure with 13 votes in favour as Russia and China abstained.
- Hans Grundberg reported rival deployments in southern governorates after STC advances and government moves to reassert control, noting limited de-escalation and welcoming President Rashad al‑Alimi’s proposal for broad southern talks.
- The 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan projects 21 million people in need, while OCHA warns more than 18 million will face acute food insecurity next month and tens of thousands risk catastrophic hunger.
- Over 450 health facilities have closed and vaccination coverage has fallen, leaving millions of children exposed to preventable diseases such as measles, diphtheria, cholera and polio.
- Detention of 73 UN staff by Houthi authorities is severely restricting aid to areas hosting about 70% of national needs, and the UK condemned recent Houthi death sentences while urging immediate, unconditional releases.