Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Deadly Terrorist Attacks at Yemen Mosques, Urging all Yemeni Sides to Resolve Differences Peacefully

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

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the terrorist attacks on two mosques during Friday prayers in Sana’a, as well as on a government building and mosque in Sa’dah, which have killed and wounded dozens of people.  He deplores the killing of civilians and extends his condolences to the families of the victims.

The Secretary-General calls on all Yemeni sides to immediately cease all hostile actions and exercise maximum restraint.  All sides must abide by their stated commitments to resolve differences by peaceful means, and should engage in good faith in the ongoing United Nations-facilitated negotiations in order to reach a consensus agreement in accordance with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and the Peace and National Partnership Agreement.  He reminds all Yemeni parties of their obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions.

The Secretary-General urges all to remain fully engaged with his Special Adviser on Yemen so as to enable him to continue to exercise the Secretary-General’s good offices in close cooperation with the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Security Council.