Yemen Renews Call for Stronger Int’l Position against Houthi Terrorism

Head of Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) during a meeting with European ambassadors (Saba)
Head of Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) during a meeting with European ambassadors (Saba)
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Yemen Renews Call for Stronger Int’l Position against Houthi Terrorism

Head of Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) during a meeting with European ambassadors (Saba)
Head of Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) during a meeting with European ambassadors (Saba)

The Yemeni government renewed its call for stronger international stances against Houthi terrorism and welcomed the latest European Union statement on the coup escalation.

The government issued a statement Tuesday, welcoming the European announcement to increase its humanitarian and development support and interventions for 2022 and 2023, and called on the donor community to double their financial pledges and ensure more effective humanitarian and development work.

The Yemeni statement lauded the Union's appreciation for the constructive approach of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) and government during the humanitarian truce.

It also welcomed the EU support of the constructive approach of the Yemeni government during the truce and ongoing efforts by regional actors, notably Saudi Arabia and Oman, on the ceasefire extension.

The statement renewed the government's commitment to a just and comprehensive peace under national, regional, and international references.

It also called for serious and responsible engagement with all efforts aimed at alleviating the human suffering of the Yemeni people, achieving their aspirations to restore state institutions, and ending the Houthi coup.

The statement appreciated the EU positions, including the Union's explicit condemnation of the Houthi terrorist attacks on oil installations and infrastructure, warning of their catastrophic repercussions on the humanitarian situation and maritime security.

The EU also reiterated its concern about the proliferation of sophisticated missile and drone technology in the region.

The government indicated that the disturbing violations referred to in the European statement are an approach rooted in the Houthi practices and beliefs, exceeding all organizations and groups classified on European and international terrorist lists, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its terrorist militias in the region.

The international community should take a firm stance in classifying the militia as a terrorist organization, said the government, noting that it is a peaceful choice that brings peace, stability, and a better future that all Yemenis deserve.

The Union affirmed, at the level of foreign ministers, in a statement on Monday, its principled commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen and supporting UN peace efforts and Special Envoy Hans Grundberg in mediation efforts.

The EU reiterated its strong support for Grundberg and called on the parties to continue engaging constructively with him.

The Union stated that efforts need to be directed towards a sustainable ceasefire and require support for Grundberg's proposals for a three-track framework process to achieve a just and inclusive settlement for the conflict in Yemen, with the whole, meaningful, and equal political participation of women at all levels.

The EU urged the Houthis to abandon maximalist positions, engage constructively with the Special Envoy and stressed the importance of reinstating and extending the truce further.

It called on the Houthis to heed the UN envoy's call for calm and restraint while negotiations continue to renew and extend the truce, reiterating that "all attacks must stop."

The statement warned that attacks or threats of attacks on civilian infrastructures, such as oil company installations and commercial shipping operating in the region, are "unacceptable," including with a view to the importance of maritime security.

The UN Security Council, which embodies the international community on peace and security, labeled the attack on Oct. 21 a "terrorist attack."

The statement renewed European concern about the proliferation of advanced missile and drone technology in the region, calling on all actors, particularly the Houthis, to release abductees and all persons held unlawfully or arbitrarily.

The Yemeni government called on the international community to classify the Houthi militia on the list of global terrorism.

It approved the ban and freezing of 12 local entities accused of supporting the militia in the context of implementing the National Defense Council's decision to punish the group and its leaders and dry up its funding sources after classifying it as a terrorist.



UN Chief: UNIFIL Uncovered Over 100 Hezbollah Arms Caches in South Lebanon

This handout picture provided by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R), shaking hands with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz (L), upon his arrival at the forces' headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Pascual Gorriz / UNIFIL / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R), shaking hands with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz (L), upon his arrival at the forces' headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Pascual Gorriz / UNIFIL / AFP)
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UN Chief: UNIFIL Uncovered Over 100 Hezbollah Arms Caches in South Lebanon

This handout picture provided by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R), shaking hands with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz (L), upon his arrival at the forces' headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Pascual Gorriz / UNIFIL / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R), shaking hands with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz (L), upon his arrival at the forces' headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Pascual Gorriz / UNIFIL / AFP)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday the UN peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, has uncovered over 100 weapons caches belonging to Hezbollah or other armed groups since the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect on Nov. 27.

He reiterated that Lebanese government forces as well as UN peacekeepers are the only sides who should have armed presence south of the Litani river near the border with Israel. He said the presence of other forces, an apparent reference to Hezbollah, “undermine Lebanon’s stability.”

Guterres made his comments Friday during a visit to the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura in south Lebanon near the border with Israel.

Speaking about military operations by Israeli troops inside Lebanon since the announcement of the 60-day truce, Guterres said: “They must stop.”

He said such operations were in violation of Security Council resolution 1701, adding Israel must withdraw from Lebanese territories.

Addressing the assembled leadership of the UN mission, he emphasized the critical role of peacekeepers, stating: “You are not just on the Blue Line of Lebanon but on the frontline of peace. The UNIFIL mission is the most challenging environment for peacekeepers anywhere.”

After returning to the capital Beirut in the afternoon, the Secretary-General held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was also visiting the Lebanese capital.

The Secretary-General's visit will continue on Saturday, with a full day of meetings in Beirut.

He is scheduled to meet President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, and Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri.