Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism – The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said on Tuesday that a recent military escalation in the country is “among the worst” in years and increasingly putting civilians in crosshairs.
According to his statement, airstrikes on Sana’a have resulted in the loss of civilian lives, and damage to noncombatant infrastructure and residential areas.
“Any targeting of civilians and civilian objects as well as indiscriminate attacks by any actor is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately”, he said.
For Mr. Grundberg, the escalation undermines the prospects of a sustainable political settlement.
He emphasized that violations of international humanitarian and human rights law cannot continue with impunity.
The UN envoy also pointed to the grim impact on an already deteriorating humanitarian situation saying, “2021 is ending on a tragic note for Yemenis, millions of whom are struggling with poverty, hunger and severe restrictions on their freedom of movement”.
He reiterated the United Nations’ call for opening Sana’a airport and removing obstacles hindering the ability of Yemenis to move within or between governorates.
