Key facts
- The UN expressed deep concern over Houthi attacks on the Red Sea port of Mocha.
- The attacks reportedly killed at least seven people and wounded 30, including civilians.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the hostilities risk escalating regional tensions.
- The UN stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of international navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
- The UN is concerned about Houthi threats to resume attacks following recent US airstrikes.
The United Nations has voiced significant concern regarding the escalation of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, particularly following an assault on the port of Mocha that resulted in casualties and damage to infrastructure. UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, expressed deep worry over the attacks, which reportedly killed at least seven people and wounded 30 others, including civilians. He urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and emphasized that a sustainable end to the conflict can only be achieved through an inclusive political process.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed these concerns, highlighting that the resumption of attacks on commercial vessels risks further escalating regional tensions and potentially drawing Yemen deeper into the broader regional crisis. Guterres warned that any further hostilities could undermine peace prospects and lead to severe economic, humanitarian, and environmental consequences. He also stressed the critical need to maintain the freedom of international navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and surrounding waters.
These developments come amid heightened tensions, with the UN also expressing concern over Houthi threats to resume attacks following recent US airstrikes in Yemen. The Houthis reported that these airstrikes resulted in 53 deaths and 101 injuries. The UN has called for immediate restraint and a cessation of all military activities, warning that further escalation could worsen Yemen's humanitarian crisis and trigger retaliation cycles. The organization remains committed to de-escalation and supports UN-led mediation efforts to find a peaceful resolution.