Yemen Monitor – New York / Exclusive:
The final report of the UN Panel of Experts on Yemen, submitted to the UN Security Council, paints a grim and complex picture of the situation in Yemen, confirming that the Houthi movement continues to pose a “major threat” to peace and stability in the region.
The report, which covers developments up to July 2025, notes that the consequences of the conflict—now in its second decade—have been worsened by regional dynamics, particularly the war in Gaza.
According to the report, reviewed by Yemen Monitor, the Houthis have exploited the Palestinian conflict to justify escalating their attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, asserting that these operations have undermined maritime security and freedom of international trade. In a development that signals growing tension, the report documented two major naval attacks in July 2025 that resulted in the sinking of two commercial vessels, causing casualties and the detention of crew members.
In a related context, the panel found that the Houthis launched more than 220 missile and drone attacks against Israel, prompting retaliatory airstrikes by Israeli, American, and British forces. These strikes destroyed key facilities in Hudaidah and Sana’a, including severe damage to Sana’a International Airport and the complete destruction of all Yemen Airways aircraft stationed there.
Regarding sanctions, the report confirmed the continued and systematic violation of the arms embargo, citing widespread smuggling operations aimed at enhancing Houthi military capabilities. In June 2025 alone, authorities intercepted over 750 tons of ammunition and equipment.
Domestically, the report noted that the Houthis are consolidating their control by intensifying repressive measures and surveillance activities, while refusing any serious dialogue with the Yemeni government. The panel documented systematic violations of international law, mostly attributed to the Houthis, including indiscriminate killings, torture, and a marked rise in the recruitment and exploitation of children through an organized ideological network that preys on poverty.
The report also highlighted the key role of the Houthi “Zainabiyat” militia in surveillance, arrests, and their active participation in conflict-related sexual violence, using it as a tool of repression against women and dissenters.
The Panel of Experts recommended that the UN Security Council support the Yemeni government’s efforts to resume crude oil and petroleum exports, which account for approximately 70% of state revenues, as a vital step toward addressing the ongoing economic and humanitarian crisis.
