A3 Plus Statement On The Middle East – Yemen

STATEMENT BY:
H. E. DR. MICHAEL IMRAN KANU
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SIERRA LEONE TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Madam President,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely, Algeria, Guyana, Mozambique, and my own country Sierra Leone.

• We thank Assistant Secretary-General Mr. Khaled Khiari and Mr. Michael Knights for their valuable briefings on the developing situation in the Middle East.

• At the outset, the A3+ would like to express their grave concern about the recent Israeli airstrikes on the Sana’a International Airport, which took place at a time when a high-level UN delegation headed by the WHO Director-General General was at the airport. This as reported resulted in the deaths of 2 persons and injury to a United Nations Humanitarian Air Service crew member. We strongly echo the UN Secretary-General’s demand for full respect for international law, including humanitarian law and for all parties to respect and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

• As we approach the New Year, the escalating military confrontation between the Houthis and Israel is indicative of the general intensification of conflicts across the Middle East, further exacerbating the already acute humanitarian crisis across the region.​

• The Yemeni population, who have borne the brunt of the internal conflict since its inception, will surely pay the highest price of this escalating situation. Years of violence have displaced millions, deepened poverty, and led to widespread starvation.

• While we reaffirm our strong support for the efforts of the Special Envoy and regional actors, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman, in their pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the protracted conflict in Yemen, we would like to emphasize the following key points.

• First, the A3+ strongly condemns Israel’s attacks on Yemeni civilians and civilian infrastructure in violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Civilian targets, including airports, ports and power stations, should never be subjected to military assault; these attacks have resulted in the deaths and injuries of countless innocent civilians while endangering the safety of UN personnel.

• The targeting and destruction of civilian facilities that are crucial for humanitarian operations is a clear violation of international law and will only worsen the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. We note with grave concern about attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and area, including strikes that destroyed the school in Ramat Gan and injured civilians in Jaffa as well as the Sana International Airport. 

• Second, we also reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained UN and humanitarian personnel held by the Houthis.

1. The efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General and the Special Envoy must be taken seriously by the Houthis for the release of these individuals. The risks faced by a senior UN staff member and his team in an attempt to secure these releases highlight the urgency of their situation.

1.  The Houthis’ violations of the human rights of the Yemeni people, and now extended to international civil servants, diplomats, and humanitarian workers must stop. We call upon members of the UN Security Council and the international community to urge the Houthis to release all detained UN and humanitarian staff immediately and unconditionally.

1. Third, the A3+ strongly condemns the ongoing Houthi attacks on commercial and maritime vessels which disrupts international trade, pose serious threats to the environment and the marine ecosystem. Earlier this month, drone attacks targeting three commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden highlighted the increasing risks associated with their actions.

1. Lastly, while we note that the current conflict in Gaza have significant implications for the Yemeni people and the ongoing political process aimed at achieving sustainable political stability and regional peace.  We urge all parties to utilize diplomatic avenues to achieve lasting peace in Yemen and the region. The Yemeni population cannot afford to be dragged into a regional war.  

1. We remain committed to supporting all diplomatic efforts of the Special Envoy in facilitating a Yemeni-led and owned political process under the auspices of the United Nations. The political strategy of the Special Envoy for Yemen is clear; only through a united and coordinated approach can we hope to achieve peace and security for all people in Yemen and in the region.

 I Thank you.