UN envoy voices concern over military escalation in Yemen

United Nations, March 17: UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths on Tuesday voiced grave concern over the dramatic military escalation in Yemen.
The Houthi offensive on Marib governorate continues, putting civilians, including an estimated 1 million internally displaced persons, at risk. Fighting forces on both sides have suffered heavy losses in this unnecessary battle. There are shocking reports of children increasingly getting drawn into the war effort and deprived of their future, Griffiths told the Security Council.
"Cross-border attacks have also increased significantly in recent weeks. I, like all of us, am concerned by the intensification of missiles and drone strikes, including ones that have targeted civilian and commercial infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. And subsequently, airstrikes took place within the confines of Sanaa city, endangering civilians there as well. We are also seeing other fronts in Yemen opening, including with military escalations in Hajjah and Taizz and Hodeida," he said.
"The war is back in full force," he added.
Even as the conflict intensifies, acute fuel shortages for civilians persist in Sanaa and the surrounding governorates. Fuel imports have not been permitted to enter Hodeidah since January. This has contributed to the increase in the cost of basic commodities and put hospitals and services at risk, he said.
"It is vital that obstacles to imports and domestic distribution of fuel for civilian use are removed. I call on the parties to prioritize civilian needs and not to weaponize the economy," Griffiths said.
He called on the parties to agree to stop the fighting.
"A nationwide cease-fire, along with the opening of Sanaa airport and ensuring the unhindered flow of fuel and other commodities into Yemen through Hodeidah ports are urgent humanitarian imperatives. These measures will ease the impact of the conflict on civilians, will facilitate Yemenis' right to freedom of movement," he said.
In addition to these humanitarian considerations, his particular task is to help the parties to end the conflict through negotiation, said Griffiths.
"I should also clarify that there should, however, be no preconditions for resuming the political process if we fail on the other matters. Resuming the process and engaging seriously in it is an obligation upon the warring parties anywhere. They need to engage constantly and seriously at all stages with the United Nations to make this happen," he said.
Source: Xinhua