ANKARA: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday expressed grave concern over growing tensions in the Red Sea amid US and UK airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen.
In a statement, the Jeddah-based grouping said that “it is essential to work towards reducing tension and avoid escalation in the Red Sea region in order to preserve the security and stability in the entire region.”
The US renewed airstrikes Saturday in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, one day after attacks were carried out by Washington and London against targets in areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen.
After the attacks on Friday, which resulted in five deaths and six injuries among the Houthis, the group vowed that all American and British interests have become “legitimate targets” for its forces in response to their “direct and declared aggression” against Yemen.
The Houthis target in the Red Sea cargo ships owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel, in solidarity with Gaza, which has been under Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7.
Pope Francis says war is ‘crime against humanity’
Pope Francis on Sunday called all forms of war “crime against humanity,” stressing that war is “not the way to resolve” conflicts.
“War itself is a crime against humanity. People need peace. The world needs peace,” Francis said during his Sunday Angelus prayer, according to Vatican News.
“At the beginning of the year, we exchanged wishes for peace, but weapons have continued to kill and destroy,” he lamented.
The pontiff urged “people who have power over these conflicts” to realize that war is “not the way to resolve them.”
“We must educate for peace,” Francis said. “It seems that we are not yet — all of humanity — with a sufficient education to stop every war. Let us always pray for this grace: to educate for peace.”
Red Sea tension alarming: UN
A UN official voiced concern about tension in the Red Sea that would affect Yemen and the region.
“These developments in the Red Sea and the risk of exacerbating regional tensions are alarming,” Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East and Asia and the Pacific, Khaled Khiari, told a UN Security Council meeting.
The 15-member Council met one day after the US and the UK, with the support of Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, conducted airstrikes against military targets in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
The Houthi group, which said it targets Israeli-linked vessels in solidarity with the people of Gaza, said America and Britain will “pay a heavy price.”
“The Houthis’ attack following the adoption of the Security Council resolution and yesterday’s events, further demonstrate that the region is on a dangerous escalatory trajectory which could potentially impact millions in Yemen, the region and globally,” said Khiari.
The UN reaffirms the importance of ensuring the safety and security of maritime navigation in the region, as emphasized in Resolution 272, which condemned and demanded an immediate halt to attacks by the Houthis on ships in the Red Sea, he said.
“We call on this Council to continue its efforts in actively engaging with all concerned parties to prevent further escalation from exacerbating regional tensions or undermining regional peace, security, or international trade,” added Khiari.
