United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties in Yemen to exercise maximum restraint after an advance by southern separatists that risks rekindling a 10-year-old civil war after a long lull.
He also said the operating environment had become untenable in the areas held by the Houthi movement – Yemen’s capital Sana’a and the heavily populated northwest.
“I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions and resolve differences through dialogue,” Guterres said.
“This includes regional stakeholders, whose constructive engagement and co-ordination in support of UN mediation efforts are essential for ensuring collective security interests.”
Guterres, who has just returned from a visit to Saudi Arabia and Oman, also condemned the Houthis’ continued arbitrary detention of 59 UN staff, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.
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