Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current situation in Yemen, following the briefing by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to an emergency session of the UN Security Council on 28 January, in which he warned that the ongoing military escalation "had to end" and that efforts to support de-escalation and confidence-building in the country were in jeopardy; and what action they are taking to support the peace process in Yemen.

We are concerned about recent heavy clashes in the Nehm and Al-Jawf regions and fully support the UN Special Envoy’s statement of 22 January calling on the parties to adhere to their commitments and avoid further escalation. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa issued a statement condemning the increased fighting and met with the UN Special Envoy on 27 January. The UK requested the emergency session of the UN Security Council on 28 January to discuss with international partners how to respond to this development. We are engaging with the parties to appeal for calm. We urge all sides to refrain from destabilising military activity, return to de-escalation efforts, and work with the UN Special Envoy towards a political solution.