On Thursday 6 October, the EU called on all sides in the conflict in Yemen to respect the cessation of hostilities: "Developments in Yemen, in particular recent unilateral measures are further polarising the situation on the ground, challenging the undertakings by all sides to achieve an inclusive political solution to the conflict and creating serious obstacles to the UN mediation efforts". On 2 October, the Houthi rebels said they would be forming their own national unity government as a rival to President Hadi’s government, which is internationally recognised.
The EU calls on all sides to "abide by the cessation of hostilities, cease all military operations and resume work through the de-escalation and coordination committee as first steps towards the resumption of peace talks", said a spokesperson for the European External Action Service in a press release, adding: "The Yemeni civilian population is the main victim of the dire economic and humanitarian situation but the negative impact of this prolonged crisis is increasingly felt in the wider region".
The spokesperson described the Houthi rebel "attack some days ago (Ed: 2 October) on a United Arab Emirate vessel in the Red Sea" as "unacceptable". "Freedom of navigation and security of shipping passage in Bab el Mandab Strait must be respected at all time, by all, under international law", the spokesperson stated. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)