New York, USA – UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern over the recent military escalation in eastern Yemen. He warned that the latest developments on the ground could end a long period of relative calm and plunge the country into a new round of the decade-long civil war.
Field earthquake in the east
Guterres’ warnings come in the wake of the Southern Transitional Council’s declaration of full control over the Hadramawt and al-Mahra governorates. The council has confirmed its military presence in all the governorates that formerly constituted “South Yemen.” This represents a major strategic shift in the balance of power within the anti-Houthi coalition.
A call for restraint and regional dialogue
The Secretary-General issued an urgent appeal to all parties to exercise maximum restraint. He stressed the need to de-escalate tensions and resolve differences through dialogue. He also called for the constructive engagement of regional actors in support of UN mediation efforts. He urged all parties to avoid any actions that could undermine the fragile stability the country has recently witnessed.
The crisis of UN staff with the Houthis
Guterres’s concerns were not limited to the eastern fronts; he also launched a sharp attack on the Houthi group in the capital, Sana’a. He condemned the continued detention of 59 UN staff members, calling for their immediate release. Furthermore, he demanded that charges be dropped against three staff members referred to a “special criminal court” on charges related to the performance of their official duties. He also denounced the severe difficulties facing humanitarian operations in the densely populated areas of the northwest of the country.
A bitter human reality
Following a tour that included Saudi Arabia and Oman, Guterres affirmed that the United Nations remains committed to providing aid in Yemen despite the risks. He noted that 19.5 million people (nearly two-thirds of the population) are still in dire need of life-saving assistance. “The United Nations must be enabled to carry out its work without interference,” he said. “Our commitment to millions of Yemenis will not change despite the enormous challenges.” — António Guterres
