Statement of Latvia at the UN Security Council
Middle East (Yemen): Briefing
9 October 2026, 10:00
Thank you, Madam President.
Let me begin by thanking Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, OCHA Assistant Secretary-General Mr. Mohamed Yahya, and Ms. Inger Ashing, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children International, for their briefings, expressing the gravity of the situation. I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representatives of Yemen and Saudi Arabia in today’s meeting.
Madam President,
Latvia is deeply alarmed by the enduring conflict in and around Yemen and its widening impact across the region. In recent months, the crisis has become increasingly embedded in broader regional tensions, creating a mutually reinforcing cycle in which developments in Yemen and across the region increasingly impact one another.
The collapse of the 2022 truce and the return to full-scale war, has deepened Yemen's crisis, inflict further suffering on civilians, and undo the fragile progress achieved in recent years. Furthermore, we condemn the continued Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including on airports and other civilian targets, as recently as yesterday.
We call for an immediate end to these attacks by the Houthis. Latvia continues to stand in solidarity with the Government of Yemen and Saudi Arabia and affirms their right to defend their territory and population in accordance with international law. At the same time, Latvia supports sustained international efforts to contain the escalation, reverse the current trajectory of renewed warfare and restore the conditions for a Yemeni-led political settlement. Latvia reiterates – International Humanitarian Law is a legal obligation and must be upheld by all parties at all times.
Threats to the safety of seafarers and maritime security remain a matter of grave concern. Freedom of navigation is not negotiable and must be protected in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international law, including UNCLOS. Attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait are unacceptable and must cease immediately.
The continued flow of weapons and Iran’s disruptive support to the Houthis is contributing to the expansion of hostilities and drawing an ever-wider geography into the conflict. Ensuring the full implementation of the Security Council Resolution 2140 and the arms embargo remain critical. For Security Council decisions to have a meaningful impact on the ground, they must be fully respected and enforced rigorously and collectively.
Madam President,
As we just heard from the ASG, the renewed violence is exacting a devastating human toll. The humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating.
The Government of Yemen has warned that some areas could face a complete loss of health services, while the country lacks the resources and capacity to absorb further waves of displacement, putting already vulnerable populations, especially children, at even greater risk.
The international community must step up support for Yemen’s humanitarian response and help ensure that vital services remain available to those in need. In this regard, I would like to highlight the leading contribution of the European Union and its Member States, which continue to play a vital role in addressing Yemen’s humanitarian needs.
At the same time humanitarian access to Houthi-controlled areas remains a major challenge, severely limiting the ability of the international community to reach people in need.
The continued detention of United Nations personnel, as well as humanitarian, civil society and diplomatic personnel, is a blatant obstruction of humanitarian action and international engagement. Latvia reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained United Nations, humanitarian, civil society and diplomatic personnel.
In this context, it is also important to stress that United Nations staff and other humanitarian personnel did not leave Houthi-controlled areas of their own accord, but were subjected to pressure from the Houthis to do so. This demonstrates a troubling disregard for the needs and wellbeing of the very people they claim to represent - their fellow Yemenis. Latvia expresses its support and solidarity with the very few civil society organisations that continue to operate in Houthi-controlled areas under exceptionally difficult circumstances.
Madam President,
The renewed fighting represents a serious setback to efforts to resolve Yemen’s conflict. There is no military solution to the conflict, the current situation only reinforces the urgent need to pursue a political solution, as soon as the conditions allow.
Latvia remains firmly committed to Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. We also continue to support the crucial work of Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and his efforts to bring the parties back to the path of dialogue.
Above all, our collective efforts must remain focused on the people of Yemen and on their right to peace, security and a stable future. The Council must therefore mobilise, give this situation its maximum attention, and remain ready to act swiftly and decisively in support of this objective.
I thank you.