UN Secretary-General Calls on Houthis to Halt Red Sea Attacks, Ease Regional Tensions

UN Chief Urges Houthis to Stop Red Sea Attacks, Warns Against Wider Regional Conflict

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Yemen’s Houthi rebels to immediately halt attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, warning that the renewed violence could further destabilise the Middle East and drag Yemen deeper into regional conflict.

In a statement issued by UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres urged the Houthis to de-escalate the situation and fully comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2722 and other relevant resolutions aimed at safeguarding international maritime traffic.

“The rights and freedoms of navigation in and around the Bab Al-Mandab Strait must be fully restored,” the statement said, stressing the importance of keeping one of the world’s busiest shipping routes open and secure.

Fresh attacks spark global concern

The UN chief’s appeal came after the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi oil tankers earlier this week, marking the most serious escalation in the Red Sea in months. The renewed attacks have reignited concerns over the safety of international shipping and the potential impact on global trade and energy supplies.

UN envoy warns of renewed war in Yemen

UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg also expressed alarm over the latest developments, warning that continued attacks risk reversing recent diplomatic progress and pushing Yemen back into a broader conflict. He urged all parties to show restraint and prioritise dialogue over military escalation.

Bab Al-Mandab emerges as key flashpoint

The Bab Al-Mandab Strait, a strategic waterway linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, has become a major geopolitical hotspot alongside the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. Reports suggest Tehran has instructed the Houthis to prepare for possible disruption of maritime traffic through Bab Al-Mandab if the conflict with Washington intensifies.

Trump warns of military retaliation

US President Donald Trump has warned that any further attacks on international shipping in the region would trigger a “major military punishment.” With tensions rising across multiple fronts, the UN has renewed its call for restraint, warning that further escalation in the Red Sea could have serious consequences for regional stability and global commerce.