UN secretary general calls for de-escalation in the Middle East

UN secretary general calls for de-escalation in the Middle East

United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres urged de-escalation and a return to diplomacy in the Middle East as fighting ramps up in Yemen between the Houthi group and Saudi Arabia.

“At this critical moment in the Middle East, de-escalation must be a priority,” Guterres said in a post on X on Wednesday.

Guterres called for the safety of humanitarian operations, the restoration of free navigation and an end to any action that harms civilians.

At this critical moment in the Middle East, de-escalation must be a priority.

Any actions that harm civilians must stop.

Humanitarian operations must proceed safely & without obstruction.

Navigational rights & freedoms must be fully restored & respected

The only path forward…

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 16, 2026