Aden — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern Saturday over the resumption of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, warning that renewed threats to maritime navigation risk fueling further regional escalation. In a statement, Guterres said the Houthis’ claimed responsibility for recent strikes “signals a dangerous widening of current tensions and threatens to draw Yemen deeper into the regional conflict.” He cautioned that continued hostilities in Yemen could undermine prospects for peace and trigger severe economic, humanitarian, and environmental consequences both regionally and globally. The Secretary-General underscored the urgent need to restore full freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and surrounding waters, stressing the importance of avoiding any actions that could heighten tensions or jeopardize the security of international sea lanes.