Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the situation in Yemen.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in Yemen, which remains dire despite the truce-like conditions since April 2022. This de facto truce offers the most significant opportunity for peace in Yemen in years. We welcome the conclusion of the Saudi-Houthi talks and the formal launch of the UN-led Roadmap by the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on 23 December 2023. This transition to an intra-Yemeni peace process under UN auspices has been reached following years of HMG's diplomatic support.
What the Houthis are doing in the Red Sea is unacceptable, illegal and threatening freedom of navigation. Their reckless actions are putting innocent lives at risk, reducing the flow of humanitarian aid to those who need it most in Yemen, threatening the global economy, and destabilising the region.
We are using every diplomatic lever at our disposal to pressure the Houthis to desist. It is in all our interests to work together to de-escalate tensions.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Bosworth)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made about the current political situation in Yemen.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The UK welcomes the UN-brokered two-month truce in Yemen, which began on 2 April, and the creation of a Presidential Leadership Council on 6 April. After over seven long years of conflict, a negotiated political settlement is the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen and end the humanitarian suffering. The UK will continue to use its diplomatic relations and role as penholder on Yemen in the UN Security Council to support efforts towards political dialogue and peace. The UK continues to encourage the conflict parties to engage constructively with UN-led peace efforts.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Yemen.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We condemn the Houthis' escalation of violence around Marib and Shabwa, which is worsening the humanitarian crisis, and their intensifying of cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia. On 20 October the UK supported a UN Security Council Press Statement calling for an immediate end to the Houthi escalation in Marib. The Foreign Secretary also raised Yemen with Saudi counterparts on her visit to Riyadh on 20 October. We fully support the Yemen peace process led by the UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. An inclusive political settlement is the only way to bring long-term stability and security to Yemen and end the humanitarian suffering. We urge the parties to engage constructively with this process.
Asked by: Anna McMorrin (Labour - Cardiff North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the political and humanitarian situation in Yemen will be discussed as part of the agenda for the G20 summit.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The G20 Leaders' Summit agenda has yet to be finalised. It is likely to focus on health, the global economic recovery and climate change. The UK continues to raise the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen in multiple multilateral fora.
Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the response to COVID-19 in (1) Somalia, (2) Sudan, and (3) Yemen, is conflict sensitive.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
We continue to work closely with international partners towards peace in Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, as in other countries in conflict that have been impacted by COVID-19. The UK supports the UN Secretary-General's call for a global ceasefire in armed conflicts. In each of Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, the impacts of COVID-19 and conflict are closely intertwined, as is UK action on both
UK support for Somalia's COVID-19 response includes tackling risks of increased instability and protecting existing state-building efforts. Our action includes promoting inclusive politics, helping to maintain the state's core functions (such as revenue-raising, managing public finance and security), and supporting the resilience of communities across Somalia plagued by al-Shabaab and the risks of conflict.
Sudan was facing economic collapse even before COVID-19. The UK is taking a leading role in helping the Government of Sudan to secure the international financial support it needs to avoid this, one of the greatest risks to stability and conflict. As the second largest bilateral donor in Sudan we are working with the Government of Sudan to ensure the most vulnerable continue to receive humanitarian support, and are monitoring how COVID-19 is impacting conflict dynamics so that programming avoids contributing to instability. This includes a £6m contribution to the UN COVID-19 response plan for Sudan.
In Yemen the UK will provide up to £10 million through our new Local Peacebuilding Programme over the next three years, which includes funding a Conflict Sensitivity Platform to support humanitarian and development agencies delivering aid in Yemen to do no harm and make positive contributions to peace and stability. The programme will work with local communities to address the drivers of conflict, and in turn, strengthen social cohesion in Yemen. We are also supporting the UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths in his efforts to find a political solution to the conflict. Given the threat of COVID-19 it is more important than ever that both the Houthis and the Government of Yemen agree to Griffiths' proposals.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current situation in southern Yemen, following the declaration on 25 April by Aydarous al-Zubaidi of the establishment of self-rule in Aden and other southern provinces in that country.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The announcement of self-rule by the Southern Transitional Council is a dangerous move which risks prolonging the conflict. The UK supports the Saudi-brokered Riyadh Agreement between the Government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council. The Riyadh Agreement is the best means of restoring security and stability to Southern Yemen and the UK urges the parties to resume their efforts towards implementation. We are encouraging the parties to refrain from unconstructive acts and statements, and we are working with them to agree a way forward. This is more important than ever after the heavy flooding in the South and the recent confirmation of deaths in Yemen from COVID-19.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the claim of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council for self-rule.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The announcement of self-rule by the Southern Transitional Council is a dangerous move which risks prolonging the conflict. The UK supports the Saudi-brokered Riyadh Agreement between the Government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council. The Riyadh Agreement is the best means of restoring security and stability to Southern Yemen and the UK urges the parties to resume their efforts towards implementation. We are encouraging the parties to refrain from unconstructive acts and statements, and we are working with them to agree a way forward.
Asked by: Keith Vaz (Labour - Leicester East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Yemeni counterpart on the resignation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in that country.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
We are aware of reports of Mr al-Yamani’s resignation from the position of Yemeni Foreign Minister. We will continue to work constructively with the Government of Yemen and urge their continued co-operation with Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and the UN peace process.
Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What recent discussions he has had with international agencies on the security situation in Yemen.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The security situation in Yemen is of great concern. Working with partners and agencies, we are monitoring developments and doing all we can to end the conflict. The UK has played a leading role in diplomatic efforts and will continue to do so. My Right Honourable Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Yemen in March. He also hosted a ministerial Quad meeting last month to discuss implementation of the Hodeidah agreement and next steps in the political process. I welcome reports over the weekend that the Houthis have begun their withdrawal from Hodeidah. I look forward to receiving independent verification from the UN and hearing the assessment of the UN Special Envoy during his briefing to the Security Council.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the meeting of the Southern Transitional Council National Assembly on 16 and 17 February, what assessment they have made of the current situation in southern Yemen and the tensions between the government of Yemen and secessionist groups.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The issue of governance arrangements for southern Yemen is ultimately a question for the Yemeni people. The UK position - and that of the UN Security Council - is to support the unity, sovereignty and independence of Yemen. We urge all Yemeni groups to pursue political aspirations through peaceful dialogue and to refrain from violence.