UN Secretary-General Expresses Concern Over Renewed Houthi Attacks on Commercial Ships in the Red Sea

New York, July 25 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the Houthi resumption of attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the renewed threats to maritime navigation. In a statement issued Friday evening, Guterres said the Houthi attack on a commercial ship, which the group claimed responsibility for, signals further escalation of regional tensions and an expansion of the current escalation, which could draw Yemen deeper into the regional conflict. He added that further hostilities in Yemen would undermine peace prospects and cause severe economic, humanitarian, and environmental consequences in the region and beyond. Guterres called for an immediate de-escalation and urged the Houthis to refrain from launching any further attacks or engaging in any escalatory actions, in line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning attacks on commercial ships and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The Secretary-General stressed the need to fully restore international rights and freedoms of navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and surrounding areas. For his part, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, strongly condemned the latest reported attacks against international navigation in the Red Sea area. In a statement, Dominguez said these attacks are “unjustified,” endanger the lives of seafarers, and threaten international maritime security, the marine environment, and the stability of global supply chains, emphasizing that de-escalation is the only solution. He regarded seafarers as civilians performing essential work that supports economies and communities worldwide, and stressed that ship operators must carefully assess risks before transiting the area. Dominguez renewed his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all seafarers still held following piracy attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and also expressed concern over potential pollution resulting from reported incidents in the Red Sea and previous incidents in the Strait of Hormuz area. (End) E.S.T. / R.J.