Following Air Strikes, Secretary-General Urges Adherence to International Law, Avoidance of Acts That Could Exacerbate Situation in Yemen

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

Noting that air strikes were launched yesterday across multiple parts of Yemen by the United States and the United Kingdom, with the support of other countries, the Secretary-General underscores that UN Security Council resolution 2722 (2024) must be fully respected in its entirety.

The Secretary-General reiterates that attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea area are not acceptable, as they endanger the safety and security of global supply chains and have a negative impact on the economic and humanitarian situation worldwide.

The Security Council demands, in resolution 2722 (2024), that the Houthis immediately cease all such attacks.  The resolution must be fully respected.

The Secretary-General calls upon all Member States defending their vessels from attacks to do so in accordance with international law, as stipulated in the resolution.

The Secretary-General further calls upon all parties involved not to escalate even more the situation in the interest of peace and stability in the Red Sea and the wider region.

The Secretary-General stresses the need to avoid acts that could further worsen the situation in Yemen itself.  He calls for every effort to be made to ensure that Yemen pursues a path towards peace and that the work undertaken thus far to end the conflict in Yemen should not be lost.