The United Nations Security Council convened on Friday to address a sharp rise in violence in Yemen, where fighting between Houthi forces and the internationally recognised government has intensified. United Nations Special Envoy Hans Grundberg told the council that the country has slid back into "full-scale war," with civilians, including women and children, bearing the brunt of the escalation. He warned that "unless war is to become Yemen’s permanent reality, the time to consider political strategies is now," urging member states to back mediation efforts.

Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s government presented a joint appeal for Security Council action, citing a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority reported that King Khalid International Airport near Riyadh was struck twice on Thursday, killing three Saudi citizens. Gulf states and European governments condemned the airport attacks, describing them as unacceptable.

During the session, Saudi representative Abdulaziz al-Wasil described the situation as a "dangerous escalation" and said the council must address Houthi actions that threaten Saudi security and freedom of navigation. He added that Riyadh will not allow Yemen to become a staging ground for attacks on its territory.

Yemen’s government representative, Abdullah Ali Fadhel al-Saadi, told the council that Houthi attacks are no longer an internal matter but a regional security concern. He called for decisive measures to curb the flow of funding, weapons and technology to the Iranian‑backed group and praised Saudi Arabia for its support of Yemen’s government and economy.

The United Nations reported that at least 46 civilians have been killed and more than 130 injured since August, with children disproportionately affected. Grundberg stressed that battlefield gains cannot replace negotiations needed to end the conflict, and that regional stability, trade routes and humanitarian concerns must be addressed through coordinated international engagement.