The internationally recognized Yemeni government on Thursday, September 12, 2024, urged the UN Security Council and the international community to "assume their responsibilities in exerting real pressure" on the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization, "and not just rely on statements and appeals."

This call came in a statement delivered by Yemen's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Saadi, before the Security Council during its open session in New York City. Al-Saadi reiterated the Yemeni government's commitment to "supporting all regional and international efforts and endeavors to end the conflict."

Al-Saadi, in his speech, urged the Security Council and the international community to exert "real pressure" on the Houthis and push them to "prioritize the language of peace and dialogue, and stop dragging Yemen and its people into proxy wars and serving Iran's destructive projects in the region." He stated, "A whole year has passed, and these militias, supported by the Iranian regime, are still undermining all efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving peace." He acknowledged "the efforts of our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to end the conflict and address the Yemeni crisis, as well as the initiatives and concessions made by the Yemeni government in support of this peaceful path."

He added that "peace has remained stagnant due to the intransigence of the Houthi militias and their continued escalation, and the lack of a genuine and reliable partner to achieve peace."

Al-Saadi pointed out that "the Houthi militias are still beating the drums of war and evading the requirements of peace by continuing military escalation in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, targeting international navigation, threatening regional and international security and peace, military escalation in several governorates, and ongoing crimes and violations against civilians."

Ambassador Al-Saadi expressed regret that "whenever a door to peace is opened, the Houthi militias close it." However, he stated, "We will not give up and will continue to hold onto the option of peace because our people, who have suffered for a long time, deserve to enjoy security, stability, development, and the achievement of the desired comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace in accordance with the agreed-upon political solution frameworks."

These frameworks include: the Gulf Initiative and its implementation mechanisms, the outcomes of the comprehensive national dialogue conference, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, primarily Resolution 2216.

Al-Saadi emphasized the "need to pressure the Houthi militias" regarding the efforts and endeavors led by the UN, as well as the mediation efforts of our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman, towards launching a political process that meets the aspirations of all Yemenis... and providing support to the Yemeni government to impose its control and establish security and stability throughout Yemeni territory."

The statement addressed the economic and exceptional challenges facing the government, resulting from the suspension of oil exports for over two years, depriving the state of 70% of its total public resources due to the Houthi militias' targeting of oil export ports.

The government expressed its full confidence in the support of Yemen's development partners, including donor countries and international organizations, for the government's plans, programs, and reforms, and in providing economic, development, and humanitarian support to Yemen in these exceptional circumstances to overcome the current challenges.

The statement highlighted the "Houthi militias' attack on the Safer oil facility in Marib Governorate with three suicide drones in an attempt to destroy this vital civilian facility for oil and gas production," considering this a "serious escalation that falls within the systematic economic war waged by these militias against the Yemeni government and the Yemeni people."

The statement warned of the "imminent environmental disaster due to the Houthi militias' continued obstruction of international efforts to rescue the Greek oil tanker (Soonu), carrying one million barrels of crude oil, after it was targeted by these militias in the Red Sea on August 21, which has become a ticking time bomb threatening a large-scale environmental disaster that will affect Yemen and coastal countries if it explodes."

The statement stressed that the Houthis' repeated targeting of oil and chemical product tankers reflects their disregard for the catastrophic consequences of any oil spill in the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. This "serious escalation confirms the nature of these militias as a group that does not believe in peace and does not care about the economic and humanitarian conditions in Yemen."

The statement stated that this "reflects the failure of the international response to the serious threats posed by the group, calling for a "reassessment of the approach to these militias' behavior and confronting their subversive and terrorist activities."

The statement referred to the "Houthis' kidnapping of dozens of international and local organization employees and UN agencies working in Yemen over the past three months, followed by a series of violations, obstacles, arbitrary measures, and extortion against these agencies and their staff."

The statement expressed the Yemeni government's regret that the measures and positions taken by the Security Council and the UN to protect their employees and save their lives have not reached the required and expected level... reiterating the call for a firm stance against these practices, which constitute a blatant violation of international law and humanitarian law.