In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs describe these attacks as flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law, stressing that large numbers of Yemeni civilians have been killed and displaced, while the humanitarian crisis in the country has worsened. The Parliament also denounces the missile and drone attacks by the Houthis against Israel and the United Arab Emirates in recent years.
Condemning destabilising role of the Iranian regime
Expressing solidarity with the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and support for Yemen’s legitimate government, Parliament reaffirms its commitment to the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries. MEPs demand that the Houthis immediately cease all hostilities, both inside and outside Yemen, and abandon any territorial ambitions.
Parliament strongly condemns the destabilising role of the Iranian regime, which poses a major threat to the security and stability of the wider region and provides the Houthis with weapons, missile and drone technology, training, and financing. It also condemns the coordination between the Houthis, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed armed groups, stressing that lasting stability in the Middle East requires the disarmament and demobilisation of all militias and non-state armed groups.
Call to add the Houthis to the EU list of terrorist organisations
Following a proposal by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Parliament urges the Council to put the Houthi movement, including its military and political wings, leadership and military and security apparatus, on the EU list of terrorist organisations. It also calls for all channels of financing for the Houthi movement to be dismantled and for the EU to freeze all funds and economic resources belonging to the Houthis and their facilitators.
MEPs strongly condemn the Houthis naval blockade of Saudi Arabia and their attacks on energy infrastructure and commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. They are gravely concerned by the impact on the EU of the simultaneous disruption of maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, which is driving up energy prices to the detriment of European households, businesses, and competitiveness.
The resolution stresses the vital role of the EU’s defensive ASPIDES maritime security operation, welcomes its expanded mandate, and calls on member states to provide the operation with additional, suitably equipped naval and air assets.
MEPs also call for enhanced cooperation between the EU and its Gulf partners on security and defence, and value the efforts by member states and the United Kingdom to provide air defence support in the region.
Finally, they voice their concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Yemen, aggravated by the renewed fighting, and call for the EU to increase aid, including through the forthcoming Global Europe instrument, with strict oversight of EU-funded humanitarian assistance to the country.
