PRETORIA, 19th January, 2020 (WAM) — South Africa has condemned the terrorist Houthi attacks on civil facilities and areas in the UAE on Monday.
A South African Government statement has noted, with concern, the escalation of tensions in the Gulf Region. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has expressed her concerns that such attacks only serve to destabilise regional security, including that of the United Arab Emirates.
"Of particular concern is the fact that the attacks are targeting industrial and civilian areas. Furthermore, these continued attacks have the potential to derail the United Nations’ mediation efforts in Yemen," she said.
The Minister added that the attacks that resulted in a number of casualties and injured, could have a severe impact on the goal of peace in Yemen and the broader Middle East region.
South Africa continues to maintain that an UN-mediated and Yemeni-led peace process is the only means to realising a lasting peace and regional stability.
The Minister added that the Republic of South Africa urges all parties to exhibit restraint in pursuit of the mediation process. The Minister also assured the Government and the people of the United Arab Emirates, of South Africa’s support in this regard.