Kathmandu— United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg is calling for an immediate end to escalating violence in the country, specifically condemning recent attacks by the Houthi movement – also known as Ansar Allah – on the port city of Mokha. The attacks, which occurred Monday and Sunday, have resulted in civilian and military casualties, damage to critical infrastructure, and represent the most significant intensification of military activity since a 2022 UN-brokered truce. Grundberg is urging all parties involved to exercise restraint and work towards de-escalation to prevent further erosion of progress made under the previous agreement.

Recent Attacks and Casualties

The Houthi attacks on Mokha reportedly resulted in at least 18 deaths, including seven people confirmed by the Yemeni government’s military – four soldiers and three civilians – with an additional 30 injured. An earlier wave of attacks on Sunday killed at least eleven individuals. Colonel Majid Abdullah Al-Nuzaili, a spokesperson for Yemen's internationally recognized government military, stated that the attack targeted civilian infrastructure, employee residences, power generation stations, and military positions in and around Al-Mokha.

Houthi Claims of Responsibility

The Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for launching ballistic missiles and drones targeting what they describe as Saudi military concentrations and weapons depots within the Mokha area. These strikes follow a previous attack on Marib city days earlier, which targeted residential neighborhoods and camps housing displaced people with ballistic missiles.

Concerns Over Escalation

Grundberg expressed deep concern over the attacks, noting they put civilians at grave risk in Mokha, Marib, and beyond. He emphasized that a sustainable end to the conflict can only be achieved through an inclusive political process, warning that current escalation is moving Yemen in the opposite direction. The UN envoy called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and collaborate with his office to implement concrete measures for de-escalation.

Grundberg continues to urge all parties to prioritize dialogue and a return to negotiations as the only path towards lasting peace in Yemen.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.