UN envoy urges calm as tensions rise in eastern Yemen

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg on Saturday called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation, as tensions mount in Yemen's eastern governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahrah.



In a statement posted on social media platform X, Grundberg reiterated the UN secretary-general's call for "restraint, de-escalation and dialogue," urging all parties to avoid actions that could further complicate the situation.



He underscored the importance of ongoing regional mediation efforts, noting that he remains engaged with Yemeni and regional stakeholders in support of de-escalation and progress toward "a comprehensive and inclusive political solution" to the conflict in Yemen.



Grundberg made the remarks after Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes on Friday targeting Southern Transitional Council (STC) sites, including positions of the Hadrami Elite Forces in the Ghayl bin Yamin area near key oil fields.



No casualties or damage to military equipment were reported. The strikes followed the STC's latest military expansion in eastern Yemen. On Dec. 3, STC forces took control of Hadramout after clashes with pro-government units, before extending their presence into the eastern province of Al-Mahrah without reported resistance.