Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Official Web Site
Riyadh
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba held a video call today with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to discuss the repercussions of the latest escalation by the Houthi terrorist militia, which has resulted in civilian and military casualties and posed threats to the security of neighbouring countries and international maritime navigation.
Minister Al-Zouba briefed the UN envoy on details of the attacks carried out by the militia using ballistic missiles and suicide drones, targeting several military camps and units in the governorates of Marib and Hadramout. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 17 soldiers and officers and injuries to others. The militia also shelled residential neighbourhoods and displacement camps in Marib city, killing two civilians and injuring 14 others, according to preliminary figures.
She stressed that these attacks constitute a unilateral Houthi escalation and were not carried out in response to any military action by the government or the armed forces. Instead, they target military personnel, civilians and displaced people, undermine de-escalation efforts, and seek to drag Yemen and Yemenis into regional conflicts and wars that do not serve their interests.
Minister Al-Zouba noted that the attacks had also extended to civilian areas in Najran, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, injuring 11 civilians. Combined with the continued Houthi threats against commercial vessels and international shipping routes in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab and the Gulf of Aden, this demonstrates the militia’s efforts to turn Yemeni territory and waters into a platform for targeting neighbouring countries and international maritime routes.
She stressed the importance of the United Nations and the international community fulfilling their responsibilities in response to this escalation and taking a clear position that holds the militia accountable for its attacks, while preventing further undermining of de-escalation efforts and the dragging of Yemen into additional conflicts.
For his part, the UN Special Envoy reaffirmed his commitment to reducing tensions and preventing Yemen from sliding into further confrontation, and to doing everything possible to resume the political process and advance the path towards peace.