Yemen Monitor / New York / Special Report:
France has held the Houthi group directly responsible for the suffering of civilians in Yemen, stressing that its recent practices—such as the arrest of United Nations employees and attacks on international shipping routes—are obstructing relief efforts and worsening the humanitarian crisis.
This came in a speech delivered by France’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Guy Darmadikari, before the Security Council on Monday, followed by Yemen Monitor.
The French official strongly condemned the Houthis’ arrest of UN employees in Sana’a and Hudaidah on August 31, 2025, describing the detentions as a violation of international law and a direct challenge to the work of humanitarian organizations.
He called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, including staff of NGOs and diplomatic missions, affirming that the Houthis bear the burden of responsibility for the suffering of millions of Yemenis facing hunger and a lack of aid.
Darmadikari also strongly criticized the Houthis’ continued attacks on Israel and maritime traffic in the Red Sea, describing them as an unacceptable threat to regional and international security.
He urged the Security Council to unite in explicitly and clearly condemning these attacks, stressing that France will continue to safeguard freedom of navigation in the region in cooperation with its partners.
The French official reiterated that a comprehensive political solution is the only way to end the conflict in Yemen and called on all parties to resume the political process under UN auspices. He also emphasized the need to include women and youth in these negotiations to ensure the building of a stable and sustainable future for Yemen.
Fletcher warned of the worsening food crisis reaching unprecedented levels, threatening further humanitarian disasters. He pointed out that Yemen has become the third most food-insecure country in the world, with an additional one million people expected to fall into severe hunger, bringing the total to 17 million Yemenis by next February.
He said that 70% of Yemeni households do not have enough food to meet their daily needs—the highest rate ever recorded. Half of the population is suffering from acute food deprivation, up from 36% just one year ago.
