UNITED NATIONS: In the aftermath of attacks by the Saudi-led coalition which killed Yemeni children and civilians, UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock, and the head of the UN Children’s Fund (Unicef), Henrietta Fore, condemned the air strike in Hudaydah governorate in western Yemen.

“This is the second time in two weeks that an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition has resulted in dozens of civilian casualties,” said Mr Lowcock, noting that “an additional air strike in Al Durayhimi on Thursday resulted in the death of four children”.

Yemen’s conflict has its roots in uprisings that date back to 2011, but fighting escalated in March 2015, when an international coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened militarily at the request of Yemen’s President.

Echoing a recent statement by UN Secretary General Antonio Guitress, Mr Lowcock, who is the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, called for an impartial, independent and prompt investigation into these most recent incidents.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2018