United Nations envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths expressed on Thursday his concern over attacks launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militias against civilian targets in Saudi Arabia.
In a briefing to the UN Security Council, he said: “I am particularly alarmed by the continued attacks by the Houthis on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.”
He also voiced his “dismay” with the Houthis’ announcement last week of a death sentence of 30 detainees.
“The Secretary-General, as we all know, objects to the death penalty in all circumstances. Their sentences are now on appeal and I have urged both due process and ultimately clemency in the spirit of humanity,” he stated.
He further expressed concern over Yemen being dragged into regional conflicts.
“It’s not in the interest of Yemen to be dragged into a regional war. All parties should desist from any actions that take Yemen in that direction. We need to prevent this to reduce regional tensions, to save lives and to give Yemen a prospect for peace rather than an enlarged war,” Griffiths said.
The envoy cited his meetings with various ministers and senior officials engaged on Yemen in many countries and many capitals.
“I have been reassured in every case by their unanimous desire to see progress towards a political solution, and to see it quickly. The unanimity of the international community mirrors the same unanimity we see and cherish in this Council,” he remarked.
“I was equally impressed, during these meetings by a common appreciation of the primacy of a political solution,” he continued.
“All those with whom I spoke were clear that progress in realizing the objectives of the Stockholm agreement, made last December, is crucial for the chances of political negotiations to end the war. Hodeidah, of course, is at the epicenter of these objectives,” he said.
“Progress in Hodeidah will allow the parties to work together whether on tripartite monitoring, collection of revenues, or on common assessments of possible ceasefire violations,” Griffiths said.