Today, Saturday, the United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, urged all parties concerned with developments in the country to exercise the utmost restraint, warning of increasing uncertainty about the situation in the region.
He added in a statement, “I note with great concern the increasingly unstable context in the region and its negative impact on efforts to bring peace to Yemen and stability and security in the region.”
The Houthis threatened a “strong and effective response” after the United States carried out another strike in Yemen overnight, which exacerbated tensions at a time when Washington pledged to protect shipping traffic in the Red Sea.
The strikes increased concerns about the escalation of the conflict that has been spreading in the region since Israel launched its aggressive war on the Gaza Strip, with Iranian allies from Lebanon, Syria and Iraq entering the line.
White House spokesman John Kirby said that the first strikes aimed to reduce the Houthis’ ability to store, launch and direct the missiles and drones used by the Houthis. He added that Washington does not want war with Yemen.
On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council called on the Houthis in Yemen to immediately stop attacks on ships in the Red Sea, and implicitly supported a US-led task force to protect the ships, and warned of escalating tensions.