UN official calls for de-escalation in Yemen

A United Nations (UN) official on Monday called for de-escalation in Yemen following reports of Iranian planes entering Yemen to transport Houthi officials.



"We are deeply concerned about the risk of wider escalation. Yemen and the wider region cannot afford another cycle of escalation," said UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari.



"We call on all actors to constructively engage in negotiations under UN auspices. Such engagement is essential to ensure de-escalation, advance safe, predictable, and sustainable civilian air access, among other priorities," he told an emergency Security Council meeting on Yemen.