The World Embassy Desk (WED) expresses serious concern over the rapidly increasing violence between Yemen’s Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia. Recent missile and drone attacks on southern Saudi Arabia reportedly struck civilian, economic and energy-related sites in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, injuring at least 73 civilians, including women and children. Saudi authorities have described the attacks as a […]
The World Embassy Desk (WED) notes with concern statements suggesting that the United Kingdom could face retaliatory measures for restricting trade with Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Measures that distinguish between the territory of the State of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory are firmly grounded in international law. The International Court of Justice has expressly affirmed the […]
The World Embassy Desk (WED) welcomes the recent announcements by the United Kingdom, France and Canada to introduce measures prohibiting trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In doing so, they follow the steps already taken by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium to restrict trade with Israeli settlements. WED considers these measures to […]
The World Embassy Desk (WED) expresses its grave concern over the reported Israeli airstrikes against the Abu al-Duhur Airbase in Syria. The United States has described the strikes as an unnecessary escalation that does not contribute to regional stability. These attacks come despite repeated calls from states across the international community for restraint, respect for Syrian sovereignty and de-escalation. WED […]
The World Embassy Desk (WED) is deeply concerned by the recent acknowledgement of the United States Department of Defense that U.S. military strikes in Yemen in 2025 killed at least 153 civilians and injured a further 243 people. According to the Pentagon’s assessment, the confirmed casualties resulted from three strikes carried out in April 2025, while additional incidents remain under […]
The World Embassy Desk (WED) welcomes the recent decision by Ireland to prohibit the importation of goods originating from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. WED considers this to be a measured, lawful and principled step that reflects the importance of upholding international law and the rules-based international order. WED encourages other States to consider adopting similar measures consistent […]
The World Embassy Desk (WED) expresses its serious concern over the continuing expansion of hostilities across the Middle East, including the escalating confrontation involving the Houthis in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have announced restrictions affecting maritime navigation and have threatened vessels using Saudi ports. The resulting disruption in and around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait places one of the […]
The World Embassy Desk (WED) is deeply concerned by the recent rise in tensions and reported hostilities involving the Houthis in Yemen and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Any escalation that risks further destabilising the region, endangers civilian lives, or threatens international civil aviation and maritime security is a matter of serious concern to the international community. WED reiterates that […]
World Embassy Desk (WED) takes note of the decision by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC). While States have the sovereign right under international law to withdraw from treaties in accordance with the procedures set out therein, WED emphasizes that such decisions may have significant implications for […]
The World Embassy Desk (WED) has taken note with profound concern of the attack on civilian aviation in Yemen of 13 July 2026 and is closely monitoring the developments surrounding this serious incident. Any incident involving civilian aircraft is a matter of the utmost international concern. The protection of civilian aviation constitutes a fundamental principle of international law and is […]