United Nations Yemen envoy Hans Grundberg has warned that Yemen faces its highest risk of returning to full-scale war since the 2022 truce. Speaking to the UN General Assembly, he cited recent tensions involving the Houthi rebels and renewed military activity across several areas of the country. Al Jazeera reported the warning on Friday, August 14, 2026.

Grundberg said military activity had increased in several Yemeni battlefields in recent days, with both military personnel and civilians among the casualties from attacks and clashes. Iran-backed Houthi fighters have clashed with government forces in Marib, Hadramout and al-Makha, also known as Mocha. Forces of Yemen’s internationally recognized, Aden-based government said they repelled a Houthi attack in Taiz.

The government said it had conducted artillery and drone strikes targeting Houthi forces in several governorates. The head of the Presidential Leadership Council pledged a broad response to every Houthi move. Grundberg urged all sides to de-escalate quickly and work toward a strong, sustainable ceasefire. He also warned that renewed Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping could draw Yemen into the wider regional conflict involving the United States and Iran.