United Nations, September 2026 : United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg has warned that recent Houthi attacks across multiple frontlines represent an “extremely alarming development” that could further escalate the country’s long-running conflict.
In a statement posted on social media platform X on Monday, Grundberg expressed deep concern over reports of civilians being killed and injured, families being displaced and civilian infrastructure being damaged amid the renewed fighting. He cautioned that a return to sustained, large-scale hostilities would have serious consequences for Yemen’s civilian population and further complicate efforts to reach a political settlement.
Grundberg called on all parties to immediately cease hostilities, exercise maximum restraint and make use of existing communication mechanisms to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. He specifically urged the sides to utilise established channels, including the UN’s Military Coordination Committee, to manage tensions and avoid further escalation.
The UN envoy said he would continue engaging directly with the parties involved in the conflict in an effort to contain the current escalation and preserve room for dialogue. He also called on regional and international actors to use their influence to support de-escalation and help create conditions conducive to political negotiations.
Grundberg’s warning came as fighting between Houthi forces and the internationally recognised Yemeni government intensified across several parts of the country. Government forces launched a major offensive in the northern Al-Jawf province, while Houthi forces sought to disrupt key routes connecting the western province of Taiz with the government-held Red Sea port of Mocha. The Houthis were also reported to be advancing towards the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait.
According to a government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, government forces backed by armoured vehicles began advancing towards the Houthi-controlled Al-Labanat military base, located east of Al-Hazm, the provincial capital of Al-Jawf. The forces were reportedly surrounding the facility as intense clashes continued in the area.
The ground operation followed a series of airstrikes against the military base over the preceding 48 hours. The official said the strikes destroyed a Houthi command-and-control centre and weapons storage facilities, weakening the group's defensive capabilities.
The offensive in Al-Jawf was reportedly intended to put pressure on the Houthis and force them to divert fighters and resources away from the southwestern province of Taiz and neighbouring Hodeidah, where fighting has remained intense.
Four days of clashes in those areas have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 117 fighters from both sides, highlighting the renewed intensity of the conflict.
The latest escalation comes against the backdrop of nearly 12 years of war in Yemen. The conflict intensified in late 2014 when the Houthis seized control of Sanaa and large parts of northern Yemen. In response, a Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year in support of Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Despite repeated diplomatic initiatives and periods of relative calm, Yemen has remained deeply divided, with millions of civilians continuing to face the consequences of conflict, displacement and deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
Grundberg’s latest appeal underscores the UN’s concern that renewed large-scale fighting could undermine efforts to secure a lasting political settlement. He urged all sides to prioritise civilian protection, exercise restraint and return to dialogue before the latest escalation develops into a broader conflict.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
