Yemen Monitor / Geneva / Special:
The spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that he condemns the escalation of tensions and attacks between Israel and the Houthis, following airstrikes carried out by the occupation on Sana’a International Airport, the ports of Hodeidah, and the power stations.
A statement issued by the Secretary-General, of which “Yemen Monitor” obtained a copy, noted that the strikes on the ports and airports pose serious risks to the lives of humanitarian workers.
The statement read: “The Secretary-General condemns the escalation between Yemen and Israel,” adding that “the Israeli airstrikes today on Sana’a International Airport, Red Sea ports, and the power stations in Yemen are particularly concerning.”
Six Yemeni civilians were killed and 41 others injured in the attacks on Hodeidah and Sana’a governorates.
Guterres added: “One member of the United Nations humanitarian air service crew was also injured when the airport was targeted.” A high-level UN delegation led by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was at the airport when the strikes occurred.
The statement continued: “The delegation had just concluded discussions on the humanitarian situation in Yemen and the release of UN staff and other detainees.”
He said: “Today’s airstrikes come in the wake of nearly a year of escalating actions by the Houthis in the Red Sea and the region that threaten civilians, regional stability, and freedom of maritime navigation.”
The Secretary-General emphasizes “the necessity of respecting international law, including humanitarian law as appropriate, at all times.”
The statement said, “The Secretary-General remains highly concerned about the risk of further escalation in the region and reiterates his call for all parties involved to cease all military actions and exercise the utmost restraint.”
He pointed out that “further escalation in the region continues to undermine the mediation efforts led by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to reach a negotiated political solution to the conflict in Yemen.”
