UN concerned about attacks on and from Yemen, calls for restraint

The spokesman said that any additional escalation may further destabilize Yemen and the region "and pose grave risks to the already dire humanitarian situation."

UNITED NATIONS, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A UN spokesman on Monday raised concern over U.S. airstrikes on Yemen's oil port of Ras Isa, where five aid workers were among the hundreds of casualties.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, also voiced concern over the Houthi's attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping.

"We note with continued concern the airstrikes conducted by the United States on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen over the course of (Thursday and Friday) in and around the port of Ras Isa," Dujarric said during a regular briefing. "Our humanitarian colleagues say that five humanitarian workers were confirmed injured in those strikes on Ras Isa port."

He said initial reports counted more than 230 casualties, including 80 people killed. A fire at the port was reported extinguished only on Monday morning, although there remains deep concern over reports of fuel leaking into the Red Sea.

"We also remain deeply concerned about the ongoing missile and drone strikes conducted by the Houthis against Israel and in the Red Sea and call on the Houthis to cease such attacks immediately," Dujarric said. "We also reiterate the call for utmost restraint and a cessation of all military activities in and around Yemen."

The spokesman said that any additional escalation may further destabilize Yemen and the region "and pose grave risks to the already dire humanitarian situation."

He said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that assistance was immediately mobilized after the airstrikes to support local health facilities, including health, trauma and emergency surgery centers and surgical supplies. The UN mission, supporting the Hodeidah Agreement, patrolled Ras Isa port, reporting significant structural damage to the port and destruction of facilities.

Dujarric told reporters that the UN mission, known as UNMHA, also plans to send a patrol to assess the situation in the nearby Hodeidah port.

"The mission is actively engaging with stakeholders to foster dialogue and explore solutions to de-escalate the situation in the Hodeidah governorate," he said. "We emphasize that international law, including international humanitarian law as applicable, must be respected at all times, and appeal to all to respect and protect civilians as well as civilian infrastructure."

Dujarric also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN and other personnel arbitrarily detained by the Houthis.

Last month, the secretary-general called for the release of 23 UN staffers held by "the de facto authorities in Yemen."

The special envoy of the secretary-general for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, called on Sunday for credible guarantees to protect the Red Sea from becoming a prolonged arena of conflict, deeming such assurances as essential, not just for global security, but to keep Yemen from sliding further away from peace. ■