UN warns of military escalation in eastern Yemen, affirms commitment to country’s unity

NEW YORK, Dec. 18 (YPA) – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has raised the alarm regarding recent military movements in Yemen’s eastern governorates of Hadramout and Mahra, emphasizing the vital importance of preserving the country’s unity and territorial integrity.

Guterres stated that recent field escalations (referring to the UAe-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) factions) do not pave the way for peace; rather, they deepen divisions and increase the risk of “fragmentation.”

The Secretary-General warned that a full-scale resumption of hostilities could have grave consequences for regional security, specifically affecting the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Horn of Africa. He urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions, and resolve differences through dialogue.

This UN warning marks the first official response to the rising tensions in eastern Yemen between STC factions and the Saudi-backed “Dera Al-Watan” forces. It signals growing international concern that continued military maneuvers could trigger a wider conflict, potentially prompting intervention by the UN Security Council.

YPA