The United Nations Security Council has adopted Resolution 2813 (2026), submitted by the United Kingdom, voting in favor of a final extension of the UN Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement. The resolution received 13 votes in favor, with China and Russia abstaining and no votes against, signaling broad support for an orderly conclusion of the mission.
The resolution calls for the effective, efficient and safe drawdown of UNMHA, alongside planning to transition any remaining responsibilities to the Office of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen. It sets 1 April as the start date for the mission’s liquidation, marking the beginning of the final phase of UNMHA’s presence in the country.
UNMHA was established in 2019 to support the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement between the Yemeni Government and Houthi rebels. The agreement was brokered by the United Nations at a critical moment when fighting over Hudaydah, a vital entry point for food and medical supplies into Yemen, threatened to escalate and further worsen the humanitarian situation.
Welcoming the extension, the United Kingdom highlighted the dedication of UNMHA personnel who have worked under challenging conditions since the mission’s inception. It also raised concerns over restrictions imposed by the Houthis that have hindered the mission’s ability to fully carry out its mandate, while emphasizing that the safety of UN personnel in Yemen remains a top priority.
The resolution was adopted amid ongoing concerns about the detention of UN staff and other international and local personnel by the Houthis. Senior UN officials, including the Secretary-General and the Special Envoy for Yemen, have repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained, stressing the seriousness of the situation.
Russia explained its decision to abstain by expressing disagreement with the premise that UNMHA has become ineffective. While allowing the resolution to pass, Russia emphasized that the mission continues to play an important stabilizing role on the ground, particularly in monitoring the Stockholm Agreement, maintaining the civilian nature of key ports and supporting mine clearance efforts, which it considers functions that remain relevant despite operational challenges.
