Skip to main content

Alarmed by Escalation of Airstrikes in Yemen, Secretary-General Calls on All Parties to Cease Hostilities, Resume Direct Talks

Countries
Yemen
Sources
UN SG
Publication date
Origin
View original

SG/SM/17988

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is alarmed by the escalation of airstrikes and ground fighting in Yemen and along the Saudi Arabia-Yemen border since the end of talks in Kuwait on 6 August.

Civilians, including children, are paying the heaviest price in the ongoing conflict, as civilian infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, continue to be hit. In this connection, the Secretary-General condemns the reported attack from the direction of Yemen that hit a workshop, killing at least seven civilians in Najran, Saudi Arabia, yesterday, as well as the reported airstrike that hit a home in Nehm, east of Sana’a, in Yemen, which killed at least nine civilians.

The Secretary-General reminds all parties of the utmost necessity to protect civilians and to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. He repeats his call on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease all hostilities and for the Yemeni parties to return to direct talks facilitated by his Special Envoy for Yemen.

For information media. Not an official record.