UN special envoy to Yemen urges halt to Israeli aggressions
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UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg has warned against escalating Israeli strikes on Yemen, highlighting growing civilian casualties and the risk of broader regional conflict. Yemen vows retaliation as critical infrastructure is hit.
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UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg (Archive)
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has expressed deep concern over the escalation of Israeli strikes on Yemeni territory, warning that the country "cannot afford to become a battleground for a broader geopolitical conflict."
In a statement issued Sunday, Grundberg called for an immediate halt to the attacks and urged all parties to engage in de-escalation through diplomatic channels. He emphasized the need to protect civilians and infrastructure in line with international humanitarian law.
Statement by the UN Special Envoy on recent escalation in #Yemen
— @OSE_Yemen (@OSE_Yemen) August 31, 2025
Amman, 31 August 2025 - The Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, is following with great concern recent developments in Yemen, where Ansar-Allah controlled areas have continued to be subject to Israeli strikes…
Grundberg's warning follows a sharp increase in Israeli strikes on Yemen throughout August, as Israeli warplanes have repeatedly bombarded civilian infrastructure, including power stations, oil facilities, airports, and residential neighborhoods in Sanaa and other regions.
The UN Special Envoy urged all parties to show restraint. He cautioned that continued escalation could pull Yemen deeper into a broader regional confrontation. "These attacks need to stop," he stated, underlining his ongoing efforts to engage all sides in restoring calm and stability.
One of the most devastating attacks occurred earlier this month when a strike on a fuel station in the capital killed at least six people and injured 86 others, including women and children, as confirmed by the Ministry of Health.
Yemeni officials rejected Israeli claims that the operation targeted military leaders, insisting the strikes hit civilian areas and unoccupied buildings.
Operation Lucky Drop
The most severe escalation came on August 28, when "Israel" launched "Operation Lucky Drop," targeting senior Yemeni officials during a government session. The strike resulted in the martyrdom of Prime Minister Ahmad Ghaleb al-Rahawi and several ministers, an act described by Yemen's leadership as a "heinous assassination."
Ansar Allah vow retaliation
Yemen’s leadership has vowed to retaliate. Chief of Staff Mohammed Abdul Karim al-Ghamari warned that strikes on civilian neighborhoods "will not go unpunished," while Ansar Allah officials reiterated that Yemen’s support for Gaza will continue "regardless of the sacrifices."
Resistance leaders highlighted advances in Yemeni missile capabilities, including cluster warheads and hypersonic systems. These developments have triggered alarms across the occupied Palestinian territories and temporarily suspended flights at Ben Gurion Airport.
