Bishop Martinelli: escalation in Red Sea could affect peace in Yemen

The Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia says recent developments in the Red Sea haven’t affected so far ordinary life in Yemen, though they could affect the peace process in the war-torn country.

The military escalation in the Red Sea risks making it even more difficult for Yemen to recover from its 9-year long war, said Bishop Paolo Martinelli.

Speaking to Asianews, the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia expressed hope that the intensification of the military confrontation in the area will not stop the latest peace-making efforts in the Middle East nation.

Escalation could slow down progress of peace negotiations in Yemen

Yemen has experienced war and devastation since 2014, when pro-Iranian Houthi rebels stormed the Yemeni capital Sanaa and toppled the internationally recognized and Saudi-backed government.

The conflict has killed thousands and caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 4.5 million people displaced, while the prospects of the conflict ending are still very slim due deep gap in trust between the two sides.

Concerns for war between Hamas and Israel extending

The eruption of the war between Hamas and Israel on October 7, 2023 could cause a further setback to this slow and difficult process, following the attacks carried out by the Houthi against cargos in the Red Sea in solidarity with the Palestinians of Gaza, and now the U.S. and UK targeted raids on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

Bishop Martinelli reported that the latest developments so far haven’t affected the ordinary daily life in country, though, he said, the raids certainly add to the" great concern for the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza” and for its extending to other countries in the Middle East.

Impact on local Christian community

The Italian bishop also spoke about the small Christian community in Yemen, that has suffered a lot in the past due to war and sectarian violence, as happened with the killing of four Missionaries of Charity in Aden in 2016.

“So far - he stated -the situation appears calm. The nuns can continue to carry out their great work with the sick and the poor," though the latest development are a reason for concern. “They obviously felt what happened, but their work continues. We pray that they can continue to carry out their mission in peace," he concluded.

Vatican News
Source: vaticannews.va/en