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UNSC condemns Houthi escalation in Yemen, calls for dialogue

April 6, 2023 at 9:22 am

The Security Council holds a meeting at the United Nations in New York September 28, 2017 [TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images]

The United Nations Security Council condemned the recent escalation by the Houthis in Yemen, “including the targeting of senior government officials in the city of Taiz.”

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, Council member states urged the Houthis to “refrain” from “provocative actions” and “prioritise” the interest of the Yemeni people.

On 25 March, the Yemeni Defence Minister, Mohsen Al-Daeri, and the Governor of Taiz, Nabil Shamsan, survived an assassination attempt, by an explosive-laden Houthi drone in Taiz Governorate, southwest of the country.

The Security Council also condemned the military escalation in Maarib and Shabwa, which led to a number of casualties, damage to property and the displacement of families.

The Council expressed full support for efforts to reach a comprehensive ceasefire and launch comprehensive intra-Yemeni political talks, under the auspices of the United Nations and in accordance with previous agreements and in line with Security Council resolutions.

The statement called on all parties to engage constructively in efforts to resolve the conflict by peaceful means and to protect civilians in line with international humanitarian law.

It also welcomed the recent agreement to exchange hundreds of prisoners reached by the two sides after a meeting held in Geneva last month.

It also encouraged continued dialogue and progress in confidence-building measures to work towards a political settlement and ultimately alleviate the suffering of Yemenis.

Last month, representatives of the Yemeni government and the Houthis agreed to release 887 prisoners as a first stage, after negotiations held in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The United Nations and the ICRC said the two parties to the conflict in Yemen agreed to meet again in May to discuss the release of more prisoners.

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