UN chief calls on countries to comply with int'l law following strikes on Houthis

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called on the countries that protect their vessels from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea to comply with international law after the strikes on the Yemeni group, his spokesman said on Friday.

"The Secretary-General calls upon all Member States defending their vessels from attacks to do so in accordance with international law, as stipulated in the Resolution (2722)," Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

"The Secretary-General further calls upon all parties involved not to escalate even more the situation in the interest of peace and stability in the Red Sea and the wider region," he said.

His remarks came a day after the US and the UK, with the support of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, conducted strikes against military targets in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

Guterres noted that UN Security Council resolution 2722, condemning and demanding an immediate halt to attacks by the Houthis on ships in the Red Sea, "must be fully respected," Dujarric said, adding attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea area are "not acceptable."

"The Secretary-General stresses the need to avoid acts that could further worsen the situation in Yemen itself. He calls for every effort to be made to ensure that Yemen pursues a path towards peace and that the work undertaken thus far to end the conflict in Yemen should not be lost," he stressed.