UN warns the Houthis of a risky military adventure

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, warned against the decision to engage in a risky military adventure that could drag Yemen into a new cycle of war in what he described as the worst scenario. This comes as a response to the Houthis turning the Red Sea region into a war zone with high security risks, by continuing their military attacks targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea.

In his recent briefing to the United Nations Security Council, he cautioned that the longer the escalatory environment continues, the more challenging it will become. He therefore emphasized the importance of remaining focused on the long-term aims that we are seeking to achieve in Yemen. The needs and the priorities of the Yemeni population have not changed since the recent regional escalation, and they have only grown more urgent.

"I mentioned in the Council today, my point when it comes to Yemenis is that what happens in the region obviously affects Yemen, and what happens in Yemen affects the region. From my point of view and the work that I am conducting is to make sure that we stabilize the current fragile situation in Yemen so that that can contribute positively to the situation in [the region]. You also asked about can we move forward while the situation in Gaza remains and the tragedy continues to unfold as it does today in Gaza".

Since November of last year, Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. In response, the United States and the United Kingdom have been conducting strikes on military targets in the areas controlled by the militia since January. Last week, the militia attacked a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, resulting in the death of several crew members and injuries to others. The recent attack on the ship Rubymar led to an oil spill and the sinking of the ship in the Red Sea with its cargo, a development that has raised serious concerns according to the special envoy.

To protect the progress made in the peace process in Yemen, Grundberg urged all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and work towards de-escalation.

Although hostile activities remained relatively low compared to the situation before the ceasefire agreement in 2022, we have witnessed continued clashes and movements of forces in Hodeidah, Lahj, Marib, Saada, Shabwa, and Taiz. The parties also continue to openly threaten a return to war. He added.

The UN envoy said that many Yemenis have expressed their concerns about the possibility of escalating internal fighting, calling for every possible effort to prevent it, pledging to engage with parties on the necessity of maintaining calm on the frontlines.