The foreign ministers of the G7 nations have issued a joint statement calling on Iran to end its support for the Houthis in Yemen. The statement, released ahead of the annual UN General Assembly in New York, condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and expresses concern over the escalation of fighting in Yemen. The G7 ministers also urged the Houthis to cease all military actions and return to the political process in good faith.
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have seized territory along Yemen's Red Sea coastline, including the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. The strait is a critical shipping route for global trade, and the Houthis' actions have raised concerns about regional and global energy security. Thousands of refugees have fled Yemen in recent days, and the UN estimates that over 120,000 Yemenis have been displaced by the surge in fighting.
The conflict in Yemen has drawn in several countries, including Saudi Arabia, which backs the internationally recognized government of Yemen. Saudi Arabia has launched hundreds of air strikes in the region, and the Houthis have launched hundreds of drones and missiles at cities and infrastructure in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The UK has announced that it will provide defensive air-to-air refueling support for Saudi Arabia, involving a single British aircraft based out of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
The US has also been involved in the conflict, with President Donald Trump considering options for the next steps in the war against Iran. Trump has wavered over whether to act on a Saudi request for help in fighting the Houthis, and US embassies across the Middle East have issued new security alerts as fighting intensifies. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has requested military support from Trump, according to US media reports.
The conflict in Yemen has resulted in significant humanitarian suffering, with thousands of refugees fleeing the country and over 120,000 displaced. The Houthis' seizure of Bab al-Mandab has raised concerns about the impact on global trade and energy security. The G7 statement is a clear indication of international concern over the escalation of fighting in Yemen and the role of Iran in supporting the Houthis.
At least six people were killed in Saudi strikes on the strategic Yemeni city of Mokha, according to reports from Houthi-affiliated media. The attack, which killed two children and a woman, has not been commented on by Saudi Arabia. The Houthis seized Mokha from pro-government forces earlier this month, and the city has been a key battleground in the conflict.
The situation in Yemen remains volatile, with fighting continuing between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed coalition. The international community, including the G7 and the UN, is calling for a return to the political process and an end to the violence. The conflict has significant implications for regional and global security, and a lasting solution will require a coordinated international effort.
Key points
- The G7 has called on Iran to end its support for the Houthis in Yemen.
- The conflict in Yemen has resulted in significant humanitarian suffering, with thousands of refugees fleeing the country.
- The international community is calling for a return to the political process and an end to the violence in Yemen.
