The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, expressed the organization's grave concern over the new threats issued by the terrorist Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and freedom of navigation in vital shipping lanes in the Red Sea, warning of the risk of a wider regional escalation.

He stated that the United Nations is also deeply concerned about the return of hostilities and renewed escalation in wide areas of the region, stressing that immediate de-escalation is essential.

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He said: "All parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law," reiterating the UN's call urging all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy."

Navigation in the Red Sea

Dujarric added: "Any disruption to navigation in the Red Sea will affect the flow of UN shipments, especially humanitarian supplies and peacekeeping operations requirements," warning that the broader impact would be on global trade, energy trade, and trade movement in general. He pointed out that these developments come at a time when the world is already experiencing the impact of the near-complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting repercussions on the global economy.