Sana'a – SABA:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates expressed its astonishment at the UN Secretary-General’s compliance with American objectives to politicize humanitarian work as a tool for pressuring the Yemeni government.
In a statement obtained by the Yemeni News Agency (SABA), the Foreign Ministry stated that what is even more perplexing is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ announcement on February 10 of this year, in which he declared the suspension of humanitarian aid operations and programs in Saada Governorate.
The Ministry emphasized that this decision deliberately punishes a specific region—one of Yemen’s most affected provinces, historically targeted by the Saudi-led coalition aggression, which previously declared Saada a military zone, subjecting its entire population to a deadly starvation campaign. The governorate remains among the worst-hit areas under the ongoing and escalating U.S.-backed aggression.
The statement condemned this inhumane decision, which violates all humanitarian laws, describing it as an unacceptable hostile stance, particularly coming from the highest UN official. There is no justification for such a move, given its severe consequences, including:
- Depriving civilians of critical food aid,
- Disrupting health services across the governorate’s hospitals,
- Endangering thousands of patients, including migrants targeted by Saudi border guards’ gunfire.
The Foreign Ministry noted that it had repeatedly urged the UN (through its Secretary-General) to reverse this decision, which has tightened the blockade since its issuance. The suspension of aid was the culmination of a broader reduction in humanitarian programs, with only life-saving assistance remaining—a shift that coincided with Yemen’s leadership standing in solidarity with Gaza, demanding an end to the genocidal war under the principle of "halting Red Sea tensions in exchange for lifting Gaza’s siege."
The Ministry reiterated its condemnation of using humanitarian aid as political leverage, stressing the urgent need to revoke all related decisions and halt the exploitation of donor funds under the pretext of supporting Yemen’s humanitarian efforts.
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