"Escalation must stop": UN Yemen envoy Grundberg warns Houthi attacks risk return to full-scale conflict
Sanaa, August 10
United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg on Monday called for an end to the recent escalation in Yemen, warning that attacks by the Houthi movement, also known as the 'Ansar Allah', are increasing the risk of a return to full-scale conflict.
In a post on X, Grundberg said, "I am deeply concerned by the recent attacks by Ansar Allah on Mokha, which reportedly resulted in civilian and military casualties and caused damage to infrastructure, including at the port."
The army of Yemen's internationally recognised government said the attack on Mokha killed seven people, including four soldiers and three civilians, and wounded at least 30 others.
According to Al Jazeera, an earlier wave of attacks on Mocha on Sunday killed at least 11 people.
Grundberg said the latest attacks came amid "the most significant intensification of military activity since the 2022 UN-brokered truce," sharply increasing the risk of a return to full-scale conflict in Yemen.
He said, "The recent Ansar Allah attacks have also put civilians at grave risk in Mokha, Marib, and beyond. This escalation must stop, and civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected."
He called on all parties to "exercise maximum restraint" and work with his office on concrete measures to de-escalate tensions and prevent further erosion of the gains made under the truce.
Grundberg also stressed that the conflict could only be brought to a sustainable end through an inclusive political process.
"This conflict can only end sustainably through an inclusive political process, and escalation is taking Yemen in the opposite direction," he said.
In a statement issued on Monday, the official spokesperson of the Yemeni government's military, Colonel Majid Abdullah Al-Nuzaili, said that the attack targeted several locations in and around Al-Mokha, including civilian infrastructure, residential facilities for employees, offices, power-generation stations and military positions, the statement said.
He stated that four members of the armed forces and three civilians were killed in the attack, while 30 people were injured, the majority of whom were civilians.
Most of those injured were discharged after receiving medical treatment, the spokesperson added.
"The attack targeted civilian infrastructure, employee residences and offices, power generation stations, and civilian sites within the city, in addition to military sites, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and its rules," the statement read.
The Houthis, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for launching several ballistic missiles and drones at what they described as Saudi military concentrations and weapons depots in the Mokha area.
These fresh strikes come days after the Iran-backed Houthis launched an attack on Yemen's Marib city, targeting residential neighbourhoods and camps housing displaced people with ballistic missiles.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who has followed Middle East conflicts, this escalation is deeply concerning. The killing of civilians in Mokha, including in their homes and at power stations, is a war crime. The international community, including India, must push harder for a ceasefire and political solution.
Yemen is one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, and now this. The Houthis claim they're fighting Saudi influence, but they're only hurting ordinary Yemenis. India has always stood for peace and stability in the region; I hope our diplomats are working behind the scenes to help de-escalate.
NATO and Western powers talk about protecting civilians, but where were they when the Saudi-led coalition was bombing Yemen? Not excusing the Houthis, but the whole situation is a mess of regional rivalries. India should stay neutral and focus on evacuating any Indian nationals and avoiding getting dragged into this.
The UN envoy is right—this escalation must stop. Attacks on ports and civilian infrastructure will only deepen the suffering of millions of Yemenis who are already on the brink of famine. The Houthis' actions are counterproductive to any political solution. Peace is the only way forward.
Sadly, this is the result of years of proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Yemenis are caught in the crossfire. India has a huge diaspora in the Gulf and must work with both sides to ensure stability. The Houthis attacking civilians is unacceptable, but so is the Saudi blockade. Both sides need to come to the table.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.