The United Nations has warned that Yemen will be dragged into a regional war as a result of the continued Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, noting that these operations threaten further escalation, in addition to potentially serious political and economic consequences for millions in Yemen and the region.

United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East Affairs, Khaled Khiari, said during a Security Council session that the ongoing Houthi threat to maritime navigation constitutes a growing source of concern, and portends potential repercussions on a global scale, with shipping chains affected.

He called for an end to what he described as escalation and an end to the attacks and threats, so that traffic across the Red Sea can return to its normal state, while avoiding the risk of Yemen being drawn into a regional war.

He said that the United Nations stresses the importance of ensuring full respect for international law with regard to maritime navigation.

He called on all members of the international community to do everything in their power to use their influence over the parties concerned to prevent the escalation of the situation in the region.

Later, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said that Houthi attacks on international shipping in and around the Red Sea have increased fivefold over the past two months.

Shapps stressed that the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are harming global trade and must stop.

In addition, Reuters quoted the British Foreign Minister as saying that he made it clear to his Iranian counterpart that Tehran must share the responsibility for preventing Houthi attacks.

This comes as the Houthis launched an attack with three boats on a ship, sixty nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah port.