HAMILTON, Canada

UN envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg on Tuesday warned that escalating regional tensions are undermining efforts to stabilize Yemen, urging immediate de-escalation and political dialogue.

"The regional turmoil continues to erode prospects for peace and stability in Yemen, where the situation remains deeply fragile," Grundberg told a Security Council session, emphasizing the "urgent need for proactive and pragmatic measures that can pave the way for peace in Yemen."

While frontlines have remained relatively stable, Grundberg reported a "significant assault" on July 25 in the Aleb area of Sa'adah Governorate, causing "high numbers of fatalities and injuries on both sides."

He said Ansar Allah, or the Houthi group, is fortifying its positions, including around the city of Hodeidah, and stressed the "need for active de-escalation and security dialogue between the parties."

"For Yemen to have a real chance for peace, it must be protected from being further drawn into the ongoing regional turmoil emanating out of the war in Gaza," he said, calling for an end to "strikes against civilian ships in the Red Sea" and "missile attacks against Israel and the subsequent Israeli strikes on Yemen."

He warned that such actions have caused "near destruction" of Yemen's west coast port facilities, straining vital infrastructure.

Yemen has been in a years-long civil war as the Houthis maintain control of parts of the country, including the capital Sanaa. The conflict has led to a crippling humanitarian crisis.

Grundberg reiterated his demand for the "unconditional and immediate" release of 23 UN detainees and others from NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions, calling the detentions "unacceptable."

Director of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' (OCHA) Coordination Division Ramesh Rajasingham, speaking on behalf of Tom Fletcher, underscored the urgent humanitarian needs.

"More than 17 million people are going hungry. This figure may crest 18 million by February next year," he said, adding that half of the country's children under five suffer from acute malnutrition.

"Starvation is preventable," he said.

Rajasingham urged "increased funding now to scale up urgent emergency food and nutrition support" and "direct financial support for the Yemen Humanitarian Fund," warning that without a political solution, "current cycles of violence, local and regional, along with economic devolution and endemic humanitarian need, will persist."