Yemen Needs Political Horizon: UN Chief Warns Against Escalation
UN chief Antonio Guterres urges restraint in Yemen and condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as EU Parliament moves to label Houthis terrorists.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued an urgent plea for restraint in the Middle East, warning that escalating hostilities in Yemen and persistent attacks by Houthi forces are pushing the region toward a dangerous tipping point. Emphasizing that the current trajectory is unsustainable, Guterres asserted that Yemen desperately needs a "political horizon" to escape the cycle of violence.
UN Condemns Attacks on Civilians
Taking a firm stand against the violence, the UN chief specifically condemned Houthi attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. In a statement shared on X, Guterres described these actions as "totally unacceptable," noting that they not only heighten regional tensions but also inflict "immense suffering" on innocent civilians who are caught in the crossfire of the conflict.
European Parliament Moves to Label Houthis 'Terrorists'
As the UN calls for diplomacy, the European Parliament has taken a more aggressive stance. In a resolution adopted on Thursday, members of the Parliament urged the European Union to officially designate the Houthi movement—including both its political and military wings—as a terrorist organization.
The resolution highlighted several critical points:
- Violations of Law: The Parliament described Houthi actions as "flagrant violations" of international and international humanitarian law.
- Humanitarian Crisis: It noted that the conflict has led to the displacement and death of a massive number of Yemeni civilians, severely worsening the country's humanitarian plight.
- Regional Threats: The Parliament specifically denounced the use of drones and missiles by the Houthis against Israel and the United Arab Emirates in recent years.
Following a proposal by Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Parliament has called on the Council to freeze all funds and economic resources belonging to the Houthis and their facilitators, aiming to dismantle all financing channels that sustain the militia.
Yemen and Iraq React to Developments
The Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warmly welcomed the European Parliament's resolution. In a statement, the Ministry hailed the move as a vital step toward protecting civilians, ensuring the safety of international navigation, and preserving regional security. The ministry expressed hope that the EU Council would follow through with practical measures to stop the flow of weapons and funding to the militia.
Meanwhile, Iraq has also stepped in to distance itself from the hostilities. In a phone call between Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Iraq condemned the recent strikes on Saudi Arabian soil. The Iraqi government reaffirmed its commitment that its territory would not be utilized in any manner to launch attacks against its neighbor, denouncing the damage caused to public infrastructure and the harm inflicted on civilians.