Yemen escalation aids spread of terror groups: UN envoy

The UN envoy for Yemen on Wednesday (August 31st) cautioned the Security Council that the military escalation in Yemen will provide opportunities for the spread of terrorist groups.

Al-Qaeda and the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) continue to wreak havoc in many parts of Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said, pointing to a Monday suicide attack in Aden that killed 71 and injured dozens more.

"The Yemeni army’s growing ability to confront extremist groups, evidenced by the recent detention of suspected al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula (AQAP) militants in Zinjibar and Hadramaut, is encouraging," he said.

“However, the absence of the state in many parts of Yemen, in addition to the chaos created by war, will continue to facilitate the expansion of the terrorist groups which represents a real threat to the region,” he added.

The UN has been heavily involved in efforts to resolve the crisis, and has repeatedly said there is no military solution to the conflict, calling for a return to peaceful negotiations.

Referring to the recent talks in Kuwait, the UN envoy said the departure from Kuwait without an agreement had betrayed the expectations of millions of Yemenis who had hoped they would bring an end to the conflict and open the way for a peaceful and orderly transition.

A “severe breakdown of the cessation of hostilities and a dangerous escalation in military activities" followed, he said, adding that the resumption of talks will only be possible if all parties maintain their commitment to a negotiated settlement and refrain from unilateral actions.

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