Deeply Concerned by Intensified Air Strikes, Ground Fighting in Yemen, Secretary-General Urges New Round of Peace Talks

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

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the intensification of Coalition air strikes and ground fighting and shelling in Yemen, despite repeated calls for a renewed cessation of hostilities.

The Secretary-General is particularly concerned about reports of intense air strikes in residential areas and on civilian buildings in Sana’a, including the Chamber of Commerce, a wedding hall and a centre for the blind.  He also has received troubling reports of the use of cluster munitions in attacks on Sana’a on 6 January in several locations.  The use of cluster munitions in populated areas may amount to a war crime due to their indiscriminate nature.

The Secretary-General reminds all parties of the utmost necessity to respect their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks directed against civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The Secretary-General calls on all parties to the conflict in Yemen to engage in good faith with his Special Envoy for Yemen in order to convene a new round of peace talks as soon as possible.