Asean needs a comprehensive ceasefire in West Asia — Phar Kim Beng
SEPTEMBER 9 — The latest Houthi attacks deep inside Saudi Arabia should be understood for what they are: another warning...
On September 9, Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia exposed the dangerous interconnectedness of West Asia's conflicts. The Houthis launched missiles and drones at energy facilities and an airbase, wounding at least 73 civilians, including women and children. Saudi officials consider the attacks a dangerous escalation and reserve the right to defend themselves.
Asean cannot view West Asia as a distant strategic theater, as the escalating cycle of retaliatory strikes indicates. This cycle of attacks and countervailing actions obscures the original causes of the conflict, making durable peace unattainable. A comprehensive ceasefire, rather than temporary pauses or bilateral understandings, is necessary to lower tensions across the region's main conflict areas.
Asean should support this approach due to its connections to the region through energy and maritime stability. Additionally, a comprehensive ceasefire can prevent more states and armed groups from entering the conflict, as horizontal escalation often results from conflicts that begin between two parties. Diplomacy, which Asean excels in, becomes crucial in managing the expanding architecture of retaliation.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
