Addressing the Security Council meeting on Monday, Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs Khaled Kheri warned that the Middle East is headed for another dangerous conflict.
He said, apart from Israel and Yemen, attacks in the Red Sea region have caused deep concern. The outbreak of military conflict in the region threatens regional instability, which could have adverse political, security, economic and humanitarian consequences.
“We must do everything we can to reverse this downward trajectory toward negativity and support the broader effort to end the violent conflict in the Middle East.”
Escalating conflict
Overshadowed by the war in the Gaza Strip, Houthi fighters have launched attacks on Israel over the past year and have also targeted ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Khaled Kheri said that since December 13, Houthi fighters have launched at least 11 attacks on Israel, using ballistic missiles and drones.
The UN Assistant Secretary-General addressed the Security Council meeting on the escalating conflict between Yemen and Israel.
In response, on December 19, Israel launched airstrikes on Yemen’s energy and port infrastructure, including Hudaydah, Salif and the capital Sanaa, which are under the control of Houthi fighters.
The Israeli army claimed that military targets were targeted in these attacks.
The UN assistant secretary-general told member states that the attack killed nine civilians and damaged Red Sea ports and damaged their capacity.
tough challenge
In addition, Israel attacked two power plants in two districts of Sana’a, causing a temporary interruption of power supply there and in Hodeidah.
Israel claimed to have shot down several missiles fired by Houthi fighters, but the strikes injured Israeli civilians. On December 26, the Israeli military targeted Sana’a International Airport and Red Sea ports on the West Coast.
At the time, the Director-General of the United Nations Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was there and his team, who had gone to negotiate the release of UN staff and other agency representatives held hostage by the Houthi rebels.
According to the Deputy General Secretary, at least 6 people were killed and many injured in these attacks. A crew member of the United Nations Humanitarian Flight Service was also injured in the attack on the airport.
In this regard, the United Nations has appealed to the Houthi fighters to immediately and unconditionally release all personnel.