Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East and Asia and the Pacific, Khaled Khiari has expressed concern over Red, Sea tensions affecting Yemen and the region
Speaking during a UN Security Council meeting, Khiari said developments in the Red Sea and the risk of exacerbating regional tensions are alarming
The 15-member Council convened one day after the United States and the United Kingdom, with the assistance of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, carried out air attacks against military targets in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen.
The Houthi group, which has stated that it is targeting Israeli-linked vessels in solidarity with the people of Gaza, has stated that the United States and Britain will pay a heavy price.
The Houthis’ attack following the adoption of the Security Council resolution and yesterday’s events, further demonstrates that the region is on a dangerous escalatory trajectory which could potentially impact millions in Yemen, the region, and globally,” said Khiari.
According to him, the UN reiterates the significance of safeguarding the safety and security of maritime navigation in the region, as highlighted in Resolution 272, which condemned and called for an immediate halt to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
“We call on this Council to continue its efforts in actively engaging with all concerned parties to prevent further escalation from exacerbating regional tensions or undermining regional peace, security, or international trade,” added Khiari.
The US envoy to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated that the goal of the strikes was to disrupt and damage the Houthis’ capacity to continue reckless attacks on vessels and commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Last month, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the formation of a multinational force to prevent Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
Barbara Woodward, the United Kingdom’s UN representative, stated that London is determined to continue to engage with the international community to battle the international danger.
