The United Nations has expressed its concern over the increase in military activity in Yemen and in the surrounding countries, while reiterating its condemnation of the cross-border attacks carried out by the Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia and warning of the consequences of this escalation of tension throughout the regional environment.
This was expressed by the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, who indicated in a press conference that the organization maintains its rejection of the actions of the Houthis, including attempts to attack Riyadh and attacks directed against civilian and energy facilities in various parts of Saudi territory.
Dujarric also emphasized the impact that the intensification of military operations is having on the civilian population. In this context, the UN has highlighted the offensives launched by the Houthis in the Yemeni provinces of Taiz, Lahj, and Marib, within an escalation that, according to the United Nations, affects not only Yemen but the entire region.
"We remain deeply concerned about the current military escalation in Yemen and its surroundings," reiterated the representative of Guterres, before urging the involved parties to de-escalate tensions and avoid new actions that could worsen the conflict.
In this same vein, the spokesperson has called on all parties to respect their obligations under International Humanitarian Law and has reminded that international norms prohibit deliberately attacking both the population and civilian infrastructure.
In parallel to these calls, the UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, continues his diplomatic efforts to try to channel the situation and is currently in Muscat, where he is holding meetings with senior officials of the Omani government and with representatives of the Houthi movement.
The UN thus maintains its diplomatic efforts while fighting and cross-border attacks continue in full escalation, both on the internal front between Houthis and internationally recognized government forces, and on the external front between Yemeni rebels and forces led by Riyadh, especially after the Houthi militia announced a maritime blockade after denouncing Saudi attacks against their positions.
To this is added the offensive initiated at the beginning of September by the insurgency on the western coast of Yemen, which has allowed them to take control of strategic localities around the Bab el Mandeb strait and has caused the displacement of more than 100,000 people, according to United Nations data.