Middle East and North Africa

Lord Reid of Cardowan Excerpts

Wednesday 7th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Reid of Cardowan (Lab)]

My Lords, the conflict in Yemen has now been going on for, I think, more than 12 years, with tragic consequences. Those of us who have observed this over the past decade or so have always regarded it as both a tragedy and a very complicated issue, all the more so because of the recent clashes between the UAE-backed forces and the Saudi forces. I was glad to hear the Minister say that initial contact has been made with a view to de-escalation, because the last thing we need in that area is a further complication, with two external powers contributing towards the tragedy. Is she in a position to tell me whether UK Ministers have had contact with their Emirati and Saudi counterparts and, much more difficult I know, whether they assess those initial contacts as mere superficial politics or they are convinced of the depth of understanding of the danger and the sincerity to de-escalate on the part of both of them?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I can confirm that there is regular contact between UK Ministers and their counterparts in the UAE and KSA specifically about Yemen. They are substantial and meaningful, and they are not, as my noble friend described it, going through the political motions. This is serious. We want to see progress and de-escalation, and that is what we are hearing from the UAE and KSA as well. We need to keep up those contacts and try to make sure that we see the results of them on the ground.