UN Envoy Warns of Yemen Escalation, Urges Restraint

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has expressed grave concern over recent Houthi militia attacks on the city of Mokha, which reportedly resulted in civilian and military casualties, as well as damage to infrastructure, including the city's port.

Grundberg stated that these attacks represent an unprecedented escalation in military operations since the UN-brokered truce in 2022. He cautioned that the continuation of this escalation significantly increases the risk of Yemen descending into a wide-scale conflict once again.

The UN envoy highlighted that the recent Houthi attacks have placed civilians in grave danger in Mokha, Marib, and other areas. He emphasized the imperative to halt the escalation and to work towards protecting civilians, facilities, and civilian infrastructure.

Grundberg called upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint and collaborate with his office to take concrete steps toward de-escalation and prevent further erosion of the gains achieved by the truce for Yemeni civilians.

He stressed that a sustainable end to the conflict in Yemen can only be achieved through an inclusive political process. He warned that the ongoing military escalation is pushing the country in the opposite direction and undermining prospects for a political settlement.

The UN envoy's statements come at a time when several Yemeni fronts are witnessing increasing military escalation, amid UN and international concerns over the repercussions for civilians and the chances of resuming the peace process.