Islamabad - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over Israeli attacks on ports and power plants in Yemen and the firing of ballistic missiles by the Houthis at Israel.
According to reports, a school in the central region of Israel was severely damaged in Houthi missile attacks.
Israel has targeted power plants in the ports of Hodeidah, Salef and Ras Issa in Yemen.
According to reports, nine people were killed and three were injured in the Israeli attacks, while the Red Sea ports were severely damaged, significantly reducing the ability to unload and load commercial goods there.
The Houthis have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for a year, posing a threat to civilians, regional stability and freedom of navigation.
Call for protection of civilians
A statement issued by the Secretary-General’s spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, called on all warring parties to fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law and to protect not only civilians but also civilian objects in military operations.
He also expressed deep concern about the escalating tensions across the region and called on all countries to exercise all possible restraint.
The attacks and retaliations are undermining the efforts of the UN Special Representative for Yemen, Heinz Grundberg, to reach a negotiated political settlement.
The Secretary-General also reiterated his call for the immediate release of UN, other aid agencies and civil society members held by the Houthis.
