UN envoy warns of Yemen sliding back into all-out war
UN envoy warns of conflict escalation and condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
New York, Oct 9 (KUNA) -- UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg warned on Friday that Yemen is at risk of sliding back into a full-scale war as military confrontations expand across multiple fronts, urging all parties to protect civilians and resume a credible political process leading to a sustainable resolution of the conflict.
In a briefing to the UN Security Council, Grundberg noted that fighting has intensified in recent weeks in several areas, including Taiz, Lahj, Marib, Al Jawf, and Hajjah. He emphasized that the absence of a credible political process would lead to a resumption of conflict, deepen regional tensions, and threaten stability more broadly.
He pointed to the rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Taiz Governorate, coinciding with ongoing aerial attacks across the country and rising risks to civilians.
Grundberg condemned attacks by the Houthi group on civilian infrastructure and energy facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including recent strikes on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which resulted in civilian casualties. He called on the group to halt these attacks.
He warned that the group’s threats to commercial vessels linked to Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea undermine freedom of navigation and exacerbate tensions related to global maritime trade routes and energy markets.
In a related development, Grundberg welcomed the release of one UN staff member detained by the Houthis, while expressing concern over the continued detention of 72 other UN staff members, noting the lack of tangible progress toward their release.
He renewed his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained staff members, warning that some are suffering from serious health problems. (End) A.S.T. / M.A.H.A.
