The UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and Resident Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs OCHA in Yemen David Grisley condemned the US-Saudi-Emirati aggression’s crime against the detention center in Yemen’s northwestern city of Sa’ada.
A joint statement issued by the UN envoy and coordinator, on Tuesday, described the crime against prisoners in Sa’ada as the worst incident in terms of the number of civilian casualties in three years.
“We are concerned about the escalating cycle of violence in Yemen that continues to harm civilians and extends beyond the country’s borders,” the statement reads. “January is sure to break records in terms of the number of civilian casualties.”
The statement reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s condemnation of the January 21 Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on a prison in Sa’ada, where migrants were also held. As a result, at least 91 detainees were killed and 226 others were injured. This is the worst incident in terms of civilian casualties in Yemen in three years.
Alarmingly, the statement added, in recent weeks, air strikes and missiles have hit hospitals, communications infrastructure, airports, a water facility, and a school, causing civilian casualties and damaging civilian infrastructure.
The statement indicated that the escalation will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, complicate relief efforts, threaten regional security, and undermine efforts to end the conflict.
It indicated that the United Nations is in contact with all parties to discuss options to achieve de-escalation and start an inclusive dialogue aimed at reaching a political solution through negotiation that ends the conflict comprehensively.
The statement urged all parties to interact with these efforts immediately and without preconditions, calling on the parties to prioritize the needs and interests of the Yemeni people.
The US-Saudi-Emirati aggression has lately ramped up its airstrikes against various regions across Yemen.
At least 91 people were killed when a US-Saudi strike hit a detention center in the northern province of Sa’ada on Friday, and nearly two dozen were killed in the capital of Sana’a in an operation on Tuesday.
