The Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations for the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, Khaled Khiari, warned of the severe political, security, economic, and humanitarian consequences of the military escalation in the Red Sea and the risk of worsening regional tensions.

Khaled Khiari said - during his speech before the UN Security Council, according to the United Nations Media Center, today Thursday, that the continued threats by the Houthis to maritime navigation, as well as the risk of further military escalation, are causes for grave concern and could affect millions in Yemen, the region, and the world.

The UN official in the Department of Political Affairs, Peacebuilding, and Peace Operations pointed out that the Houthis have claimed responsibility for two attacks in the Red Sea using naval missiles since the last time the Security Council discussed this situation on December 18 last year.

He added that the United Nations shares the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization's concern about the need to protect maritime navigation and the potential effects of the current attacks and the disruption of maritime passage in the Red Sea and its surrounding areas on international trade.

Khiari reiterated the necessity to ensure the safety and security of maritime navigation in the region and called for the immediate release of the ship (Galaxy Leader) and its crew, who were detained by the Houthis on November 19 last year, explaining that such incidents from areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen must stop.

The UN official encouraged all concerned parties to avoid further escalation, to de-escalate tensions and threats, saying that this is important for navigation through the Red Sea to return to normal and to avoid dragging Yemen into a regional disaster, emphasizing the importance of the continued engagement of the Security Council with all relevant parties who may be able to push for restraint.

Meanwhile, South Korea, which began its term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council this month, expressed concern about the rising tensions in the Red Sea at the first official Security Council meeting this year.

The Korean ambassador to the United Nations, Hwang Joon-kook, said at the Security Council meeting held at the UN headquarters in New York, according to the Korean news agency "Yonhap" today Thursday, that the Red Sea is an important waterway for international trade, and any threats or disruptions to the freedom of navigation recognized under international law cannot be tolerated or justified.

He explained that the severe situation in the Gaza Strip raises concerns about a chain of repercussions in other areas and the deterioration of relations, confirming the urgent need to make every possible effort to reduce tensions in the region, including the Red Sea—pledging to closely monitor developments in Yemen and beyond, especially the implementation of sanctions such as the arms embargo, noting South Korea's chairmanship of the Security Council's sanctions committee on Yemen.

It is noted that the Security Council's sanctions committee is responsible for monitoring the implementation of Security Council resolutions, including the arms embargo imposed on individuals and organizations.