UNITED NATIONS, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations (UN) official on Monday called for de-escalation in Yemen following reports of Iranian planes entering Yemen to transport Houthi officials.
"We are deeply concerned about the risk of wider escalation. Yemen and the wider region cannot afford another cycle of escalation," said UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari.
"We call on all actors to constructively engage in negotiations under UN auspices. Such engagement is essential to ensure de-escalation, advance safe, predictable, and sustainable civilian air access, among other priorities," he told an emergency Security Council meeting on Yemen.
On July 3, an Iranian aircraft travelled from Tehran to Sanaa International Airport before returning to Tehran. This flight reportedly transported a Houthi delegation to attend the funeral of Iran's late supreme leader. The government of Yemen, in a letter addressed to the president of the Security Council and the UN secretary-general, viewed this flight as a violation of Yemeni airspace and sovereignty, said Khiari.
On Monday, another Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation returning from Tehran landed in Houthi-controlled Hodeidah in western Yemen. This followed reports of airstrikes at Sanaa International Airport. According to the Yemeni government, the strikes hit the airport runway to prevent the Iranian flight from landing there, he said.
Following the airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport, the Houthis announced the "end of the de-escalation phase," he said.
"Our message is clear: Unilateral measures will not bring Yemen closer to peace. On the contrary, they risk entrenching divisions, accelerating fragmentation and heightening the danger of renewed escalation and military confrontation," said Khiari. "We, therefore, continue to urge all parties to reduce tensions and address their differences through dialogue."
Khiari called on all parties to fully respect international law and to uphold and respect the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen. ■
