The Federal Government condemns the most recent firing of a missile from Yemen at Saudi Arabian territory.

The incident has further escalated the situation and once again shows that we urgently need a political resolution to the conflict in Yemen. This must be done through diplomatic channels, because any military action would only cause the situation to deteriorate even further. The only way out of the crisis is by means of a ceasefire and political dialogue. The Federal Government continues to fully support the endeavours by Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen.

The Federal Government welcomes the fact that the Saudi led military coalition has now loosened its blockade of Yemeni harbours and airports that had been imposed in reaction to Houthi rebels’ firing of a missile at Riyadh airport in early November. For several days, the maritime ports on the Red Sea and Sana’a Airport have been open again. Aid supplies can now again be transported to the populous regions in northern and eastern Yemen. This is an important and positive step. All parties to the conflict have been called upon to eliminate the remaining obstacles to humanitarian and commercial Access.

Germany is immediately making available a further 40 million euros in humanitarian aid. This includes emergency food aid and supplies needed to meet other humanitarian needs, including medical care. As long as more than 20 million people in the country – 11 million of these being children – require humanitarian assistance, we must not let up in our efforts.