UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged negotiations to address the escalating conflict in Yemen, saying military action alone would not resolve the crisis.
Speaking at a press conference, Guterres said past fighting in Yemen had demonstrated the difficulties of successful military intervention.
“Military action is taking place, but it will not solve the problem by itself,” he said.
Guterres stressed the need to preserve freedom of navigation through the Bab el-Mandab Strait and called for serious negotiations.
Asked whether back-channel talks were underway with the Houthis to reach an agreement with Saudi Arabia, he said UN special envoys were making a major effort.
He reiterated the United Nations’ condemnation of Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and obstacles to navigation in the strait.
Guterres also urged both sides to establish a dialogue to end what he described as a dramatic worsening of the West Asia conflict.