Middle East: Escalation Threatens Regional Stability & Civilians | Briefing | United Nations

Описание: Briefing by Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, on threats to international peace and security - Security Council, 9829th meeting.

"Madam President [US Permanent Representative Linda
Thomas-Greenfield],
Distinguished members of the Security Council,
The Middle East is witnessing yet another dangerous
escalation.
The hostilities unfolding between Israel and the Houthis have
taken an escalatory turn over the past weeks.
The most recent round of military escalation follows a year of
increasing Houthi attacks targeting Israel as well as vessels in the Red
Sea and the Gulf of Aden that threaten civilians, regional stability and
freedom of maritime navigation.

Madam President,
Since 13 December, the Houthis have claimed at least 11
attacks targeting Israel, using ballistic missiles and uncrewed aerial
vehicles.

On 19 December, Israel conducted airstrikes that targeted
energy and port infrastructure in the Houthi-controlled ports of
Hudaydah, Salif and Ra’s Isa as well as Sana’a. The Israel Defence
Forces (IDF) claimed it was hitting military targets. Nine civilians were
reportedly killed, and considerable damage occurred to the Red Sea
ports that has reduced their capacity. Israel also struck two power
stations in Sanhan and Al Wahdah districts of Sana’a, causing
temporary power disruptions in Sana’a and Hudaydah.
While many missiles and other projectiles fired by the Houthis
from Yemen have been intercepted, on 20 December, a Houthi-fired
missile warhead damaged an elementary school in Ramat Gan in
central Israel. On 21 December, another missile landed in a
residential neighbourhood in Jaffa, causing damage to nearby
homes. Sixteen civilian injuries were reported in the latter incident,
including a 3-year-old child.

On 26 December, IDF airstrikes targeted Sana’a International
Airport, the Red Sea ports on Yemen’s western coast in addition to
power stations in Sana’a and Hudaydah, which the IDF said were
being used for military purposes. The risks of disruption to vital
humanitarian operations at a time when millions of people in Yemen
are in need of life-saving assistance are of grave concern.

The IDF’s 26 December strikes on Yemen have reportedly
resulted in at least six killed and dozens injured. A United Nations
Humanitarian Air Service crew member was also injured when the
airport was hit. A high-level UN delegation, headed by WHO
Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was also at the
airport in Sana’a when it was struck. The delegation had just
concluded discussions on the humanitarian situation in Yemen and
the release of UN and other personnel detained by the Houthis.
The United Nations continues to call for the immediate and
unconditional release of all UN and other personnel arbitrarily
detained by the Houthis.

Madam President,
I reiterate the Secretary-General’s grave concern about
intensified escalation. I also echo his calls that international law,
including humanitarian law as applicable, must be respected by all
parties. We appeal to all to respect and protect civilians and civilian
infrastructure. Humanitarian workers must be protected at all times.

Madam President,
We condemn attacks claimed by the Houthis, including on the
Santa Ursula in the Arabian Sea on 27 December. The US forces
targeted Houthi military facilities and weapons systems in Yemen on
16 and 21 December reportedly in response to Houthi maritime
attacks. There have also been unconfirmed reports of airstrikes on
27, 28 and 29 December in different parts of Yemen.
We reiterate that attacks originating from Houthi-controlled
areas in Yemen must stop. Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024)
must be fully respected in its entirety, which demands that all
attacks in the Red Sea must cease. No cause or grievance can justify
continuation of these attacks.

Attacks in Israel and Yemen, as well as in the Red Sea, are of
grave concern. Further military escalation could jeopardize regional
stability, with adverse political, security, economic and humanitarian
repercussions. Millions in Yemen, Israel and throughout the region
would continue to bear the brunt of escalation with no end.
We must do our utmost to reverse this negative trajectory and
support comprehensive efforts to end conflicts in the Middle East.
We must preserve a path toward sustainable peace and stability that
benefits all the peoples of the region.

Thank you, Madam President".