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.



UNRWA Says Determined to Keep Working in Gaza Despite Israeli Ban

Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025. Heiko Junge/NTB/via REUTERS
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025. Heiko Junge/NTB/via REUTERS
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UNRWA Says Determined to Keep Working in Gaza Despite Israeli Ban

Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025. Heiko Junge/NTB/via REUTERS
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025. Heiko Junge/NTB/via REUTERS

The head of the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees said Friday it is determined to keep working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank after an Israeli ban on its operations takes effect Jan. 30.

Philippe Lazzarini told reporters that shutting down the agency known as UNRWA would “massively weaken the international humanitarian response” in Gaza.

That’s because UNRWA is the only body capable of providing essential health care and education in Gaza, he said, which will be especially needed once the ceasefire takes effect.

Israel alleges Hamas and other militants in Gaza have infiltrated UNRWA, using its facilities and taking aid — claims for which it has provided little evidence.

Established in 1949, UNRWA offers support to the 6 million Palestinian refugees and their descendants around the Mideast.

Right now, nearly all of the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza rely on the agency for primary health care, and its 650,000 children depend on UNRWA for education. Lazzarini said ending UNRWA’s operations would be “catastrophic.”