The UN remains committed to providing life-saving assistance to the people of Yemen. UN Secretary-General warns of conflict escalation in Yemen Peace and Security
Tensions continue to rise in Yemen, with recent events increasing the risks of further escalation and fragmentation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to reporters in New York after his briefing on the situation in the country to the Security Council.
“Tensions throughout Yemen have persisted for some time. Dramatic new developments taking place in the eastern provinces add fuel to the fire,” – he said.
General The secretary recalled that earlier this month, forces associated with the Southern Transitional Council advanced into the provinces of Hadramout and Al Mahra. Such unilateral actions, he said, “raise the risk of wider escalation and further fragmentation.”
Serious consequences
The UN chief warned that “a full resumption of hostilities could have serious consequences for regional peace and security – including in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa.”
Guterres called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, reduce tensions and resolve differences through dialogue, emphasizing that this also applies to regional participants. According to him, “their constructive engagement and coordination in support of UN mediation efforts is key to ensuring collective security.”
The Secretary-General also stressed that “Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be preserved,” adding that the country “needs a sustainable, agreed political settlement” that will reflect the aspirations of all Yemenis and will put an end to this destructive conflict.
Until then, the UN chief continued, “the Yemeni people will continue to pay a terrible price.” According to him, almost 4.8 million people have been forced to leave their homes, and 19.5 million – need humanitarian assistance.
Obstacles to Humanitarian Aid
United Nations relief efforts face serious obstacles, however. “In areas under Houthi control, working conditions have become unbearable,” the Secretary General said. “immediate and unconditional release in accordance with international law.”
The Secretary-General recalled that the de facto authorities, the Houthis, recently transferred the cases of three UN employees to a special criminal court. He called for this decision to be reversed. Guterres stressed that the United Nations and its partners should never be harassed, arrested or detained in connection with the performance of their official duties.
Despite the challenges, the UN remains committed to providing life-saving assistance to the people of Yemen. “We have reached more than 5.3 million people this year with food, nutrition support, water and medical assistance,” the Secretary General said. However, he continued, with sufficient funding and expanded capacity to work, much more can be done. peace during the truce in 2022 and the agreement commitments in 2023, – however, subsequent events “seriously complicated the situation.” However, he stressed, “peace is possible.”
The UN chief assured that “the United Nations remains committed to supporting the Yemeni people on this path.” He called on all parties to engage constructively with the Special Envoy for Yemen, to prioritize dialogue over violence, and to avoid any unilateral actions that could escalate the situation.
“The people of Yemen demand and deserve peace,” the General concluded secretary.