United Nations Security Council on Thursday condemned an escalation in fighting in Yemen's Marib, asking the Iran-backed Houthi militia to immediately end the offensive. The Security Council also condemned the cross-border attacks carried out by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia. In a statement, members of the council said that the escalation in Ma'rib "places 1 million internally displaced persons at grave risk and threatens efforts to secure a political settlement when the international community is increasingly united to end the conflict". "Members of the council called on all parties to come together and work with the UN special envoy to negotiate, without preconditions, a nationwide ceasefire and a Yemeni-led and owned, inclusive, political settlement, which includes the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women, as well as the participation of youth, in accordance with the past resolution," the statement read. In the statement, they expressed concern over the dire economic and humanitarian situation and emphasized the importance of facilitating humanitarian assistance as well as the movement of fuel ships into Hodeidah port. They also called for accountability for human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law while reiterating their support for Yemen's sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity. — Agencies
