On Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the escalating conflict between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Israel, condemning Israel’s airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport as “especially alarming.”

“The Secretary-General condemns the escalation between Yemen and Israel. Israeli airstrikes today on Sanaa International Airport, the Red Sea ports, and power stations in Yemen are especially alarming,” a spokesperson for Guterres stated, as reported by AFP.

“The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the risk of further escalation in the region and reiterates his call for all parties concerned to cease all military actions and exercise utmost restraint,” the spokesperson added.

He further warned, “He also warns that airstrikes on Red Sea ports and Sana’a airport pose grave risks to humanitarian operations at a time when millions of people are in need of life-saving assistance.”

Guterres also took the opportunity to denounce the actions of the Houthi rebels, pointing out how their behavior over the past year has contributed to instability in the region. “The Secretary-General condemns a year of escalatory actions… in the Red Sea and the region that threaten civilians, regional stability, and freedom of maritime navigation,” he said.

In response to Thursday’s strikes, the IDF released a statement detailing their targets, including military infrastructure used by the Houthi regime for its operations at both Sanaa International Airport and the Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations. The IDF also attacked military sites in the Al-Hudaydah, Salif, and Ras Kanatib ports along Yemen’s western coastline.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, who was at Sanaa Airport during the Israeli airstrikes, confirmed on social media that a member of the UN air crew was injured as a result of the Israeli attacks.

Israel’s actions in Yemen were a response to the recent missile launches by the Houthi rebels towards Israel. On Wednesday evening, a UAV launched by the Houthis triggered sirens in Ashkelon just as residents were preparing for the first night of Hanukkah. The UAV ultimately crashed in an open area, and no injuries were reported.

Earlier in the day, at approximately 4:30 a.m., sirens went off in central Israel, the Shfela, and Judea after a missile was fired from Yemen. Local residents reported hearing explosions. The IDF later confirmed that one of the missiles was intercepted before it could enter Israeli airspace. Sirens were also activated in anticipation of potential falling debris from the interception.

On Tuesday morning, additional sirens were triggered in central Israel, the Shfela, and the Arad area following another missile launch from Yemen. Reports of explosions were received from residents, and the IDF confirmed that the missile was intercepted before reaching Israeli territory. “Rocket and missile sirens were sounded following the possibility of falling shrapnel from the interception,” the IDF explained.

Guterres’ latest criticism of Israel’s counterterrorism actions follows a series of statements condemning Israel’s military operations. Since the attack on October 7, 2023, Guterres has repeatedly voiced disapproval of Israel’s defensive measures. Most recently, he condemned Israeli airstrikes in Syria and called for an end to them.

“Extensive Israeli air strikes continue. These are violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and they must stop,” Guterres declared at a press conference last Thursday.

“Syria’s sovereignty, territorial unity, and integrity must be fully restored, and all acts of aggression must come to an immediate end,” he added.

{Matzav.com}