UN Chief Calls for Restraint in Yemen Amid Separatist Advance
UN Chief Calls for Restraint in Yemen Amid Separatist Advance
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called on all parties in Yemen to exercise maximum restraint following an advance by southern separatists, warning it could reignite the country’s decade-long civil conflict, Al Arabiya English reported.
Guterres highlighted the worsening conditions in Houthi-controlled areas, including the capital Sanaa and the heavily populated northwest, describing the operational environment as “untenable.”
The separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), historically supported by the United Arab Emirates, has reportedly taken control of Hadhramaut and Mahra provinces and now asserts authority across the former South Yemen. The STC has previously fought alongside Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
“I urge all parties to de-escalate tensions and resolve differences through dialogue,” Guterres said, emphasizing the role of regional stakeholders in supporting UN mediation efforts.
He also condemned the Houthis’ detention of 59 UN staff, including three recently referred to a special criminal court for actions related to their official duties, and demanded their immediate release.
Despite security challenges, Guterres affirmed the UN’s commitment to delivering humanitarian aid to Yemen’s 19.5 million people—nearly two-thirds of the population—who remain in urgent need of assistance.
