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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2939(RSP))

On the escalation of Houthi attacks and implications for regional security

B-10-2026-0481

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Ville Niinistö, Hannah Neumann, Maria Ohisalo, Nicolae Ștefănuță, Erik Marquardt

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 23 Oct 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution condemns Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, and calls on all parties to stop attacks on civilians and restore a nationwide ceasefire. It urges the EU's foreign policy chief and member states to step up diplomacy with the UN, Gulf Cooperation Council countries and other partners, and backs the UN special envoy's mediation. It calls for more EU naval engagement, further sanctions listings, a strict arms export policy, an independent international investigation mechanism and accountability, including a possible referral to the International Criminal Court. It demands unhindered humanitarian access, protection of children and displaced people, and continued and increased EU humanitarian and recovery funding for Yemen.

Key points

  1. Condemns Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, which have killed and injured civilians and disrupted shipping lanes.
  2. Calls on the Houthis to stop all unlawful attacks unconditionally and respect freedom of navigation, and on all parties, including Saudi and Yemeni government forces, to stop attacks on civilians and disproportionate attacks.
  3. Calls on all parties to protect hospitals, schools, health and humanitarian personnel and water and sanitation facilities, and recalls that starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is prohibited.
  4. Calls on all warring parties to stop hostilities immediately, establish a nationwide ceasefire and return to negotiations on a Yemen-led political solution based on agreed reference documents and Security Council resolutions.
  5. Urges the EU foreign policy chief and member states to intensify coordinated diplomacy with the UN, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, especially Oman, and other partners to restore dialogue channels and reduce regional tensions.
  6. Supports the UN special envoy's efforts and calls for full, equal and safe participation of women, young people, civil society and southern Yemen representatives in the peace process, with gender equality and transitional justice integrated.
  7. Supports the EU's defensive naval operation Eunavfor Aspides, asks non-contributing member states to provide ships, surveillance aircraft and personnel, and asks the Council to extend the operation beyond February 2027.
  8. Calls on the Council to list additional Houthi leaders and commanders under the EU's Yemen sanctions regime, while ensuring targeted measures and humanitarian exemptions do not block aid or legitimate trade.
  9. Condemns foreign interference, especially Iran's reported arms transfers to the Houthis, and calls on member states to suspend arms export licences to any warring party where the materiel may be used in the Yemen conflict.
  10. Calls for targeted human rights sanctions against those responsible for abuses in Yemen, an independent UN-supervised international investigation mechanism, and a possible Security Council referral of the situation to the International Criminal Court.
  11. Condemns the humanitarian impact of renewed fighting, demands rapid and unhindered humanitarian access including around Taiz, and calls for protection of displaced people and respect for non-refoulement.
  12. Condemns child recruitment and attacks on schools and hospitals, calls for release and reintegration of children, and urges the EU to maintain and increase humanitarian funding and support economic recovery and basic services.

Who is affected

  • The Houthis (Ansar Allah): called on to stop attacks, release detained UN and civil society staff, and end prosecutions.
  • Saudi Arabia and Yemen's internationally recognised government: called on to stop attacks on civilians and respect international humanitarian law.
  • EU member states: asked to contribute to Eunavfor Aspides, tighten arms exports and apply sanctions.
  • Iran: called on to stop arms transfers to the Houthis that breach international obligations.
  • Civilians and displaced people in Yemen: the text demands their protection, humanitarian access and aid funding.

Figures and deadlines

  • Four-year UN-mediated truce collapsed in July 2026.
  • King Khalid International Airport attacked on 10 October.
  • Eunavfor Aspides extended until 28 February 2027.
  • At least 18.3 million people (about 40% of the population) face acute food insecurity; over 2.2 million children under five are acutely malnourished.
  • More than 200,000 people displaced in the latest escalation; about 5.2 million were already internally displaced.
  • EU has contributed almost EUR 1.6 billion since 2015, including over EUR 1 billion in humanitarian aid and about EUR 500 million in development aid; EUR 120 million in humanitarian funding in 2025, including an additional EUR 40 million announced in September 2025.
  • At least eight UN staff and others prosecuted; over 100 arbitrarily detained; 73 UN staff still held.
  • About 800,000 people affected by access restrictions around Taiz.