The European Union strongly condemns the Houthis' continued military escalation in Yemen and their attacks against Saudi Arabia, particularly those targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. We express our full solidarity with the legitimate Government of Yemen and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and their people. The recent attacks against Aden’s Al-Maashiq palace, the continued siege of Taiz, the military action along Yemen's west coast, and attacks against Saudi Arabia, were heinous acts. All Houthi military action must end immediately. 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 EU reaffirms its firm commitment to Yemen's unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. We remain fully committed and will increase our support to the legitimate Government of Yemen and the Presidential Leadership Council, including in their efforts to advance reforms, strengthen governance and address the deteriorating economic, humanitarian and human rights situation. 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, in line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including UNSCR 2216, aimed at achieving an inclusive, sustainable, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political settlement. The Houthis’ military escalation and the crisis of access and affordability of essential goods across the country compound an already catastrophic humanitarian situation, worsening food insecurity and lack of access to healthcare and safe water, with more than 22 million people in need of assistance. The city of Taiz currently shelters 800,000-950,000 civilians, including displaced persons. The city is once again under siege, threatened by a major Houthi military build-up. The use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is prohibited under international law. Civilians must not be used as a shield for military objectives or operations. We call on the Houthis to urgently open a humanitarian corridor in Taiz and ensure safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need. The safety and freedom of humanitarian staff to operate must be ensured at all times. All parties to the conflict must comply with international humanitarian and human rights law, including the obligation to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all humanitarian personnel including the 70 UN staff who remain arbitrarily detained by the Houthis in Sana'a. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mohammad el Shami, of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who died while in detention by the Houthis since June 2024. The EU remains committed to supporting the Yemeni people, including through its latest €25 million reinforcement of emergency humanitarian assistance, for a total of €110 million in 2026. Since 2015, the EU delivered nearly €2 billion in humanitarian, development, crisis response and peacebuilding support. The EU reiterates the importance of safeguarding maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, in accordance with international law, including the international law of the sea, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We strongly condemn all threats and attacks against civilian and commercial shipping, which threaten regional security and international trade. The EU defensive maritime operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES will continue to deliver its critical contribution to ensure freedom of navigation and protect maritime shipping and the lives of seafarers.
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