EU 'strongly' condemns Houthi escalation in Yemen, attacks on Saudi Arabia

Bloc calls for immediate end to Houthi attacks, urges halt to military support for group and reiterates backing for UN-led peace efforts

The EU on Monday "strongly" condemned the Houthis' escalation in Yemen and attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly those targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. In a statement issued by the office of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the bloc expressed solidarity with Yemen's internationally recognized government and Saudi Arabia. It also called for an immediate end to all Houthi “military actions.” "We call on all actors, including Iran to cease all military support to the Houthis, in violation of several United Nations Security Council resolutions," the statement said. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to Yemen's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, pledging to increase support for the country's internationally recognized government. The bloc said its assistance would focus particularly on advancing reforms and addressing Yemen's worsening economic, humanitarian and human rights situation.   EU says 'no military solution' to Yemen conflict The bloc stressed the need for a political settlement to the conflict and reiterated its support for international mediation efforts. "The EU reiterates that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Yemen and reaffirms its full support to the UN Special Envoy and for UN-led peace efforts in Yemen," the statement said. The bloc also warned that the latest escalation and restrictions on access to essential goods were aggravating Yemen's humanitarian crisis. More than 22 million people need humanitarian assistance, according to the statement. Since Oct. 5, Yemeni government forces have continued Operation Dawn of Yemen, which Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi said aims to restore state institutions and regain control of the capital, Sanaa, from the Houthis. Fighting between government forces and the Houthis intensified in July, killing or injuring thousands of people and displacing more than 250,000, according to UN reports. The escalation ended a period of relative calm that had prevailed since April 2022, further worsening the country's humanitarian crisis. Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since the Houthis seized Sanaa and several other provinces in September 2014. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The Houthis currently control most northern and western provinces, including Sanaa, Saada, Amran, Dhamar and Al-Hudaydah. Government forces and their allies control Aden and most southern and eastern provinces.