UN chief condemns Saudi airstrikes killing civilians in Yemen

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has roundly condemned Saudi Arabia for defying calls to halt airstrikes on Yemen; following a recent air attack that killed dozens of civilians in a market.

According to Press TV, the UN said in a statement on Monday that Ban “strongly condemns the apparent airstrike” that killed 32 civilians and injured 41 others in Khaleq market in northeastern Sana’a on Sunday.

“The secretary-general is concerned about the continuing intense airstrikes and ground fighting in Yemen despite his repeated calls for a cessation of hostilities,” read the statement.

The fatality figure is among the highest from a single bombing since September 2015, according to the statement.

Calling for a “prompt and impartial investigation” into the attack, Ban urged all fighting parties to “respect their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, including populated markets.”

The latest airstrike damaged a mosque and several houses in the Razih district of Sa'ada province.

SS