UNITED NATIONS: The continuing aerial bombardment and ground fighting’s impact on civilians in Yemen were decried by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a statement on Thursday.

More than 1,200 people have been killed and 300,000 have fled their homes over the past six weeks.

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Mr Ban urged all parties engaged in military operations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The Saudi-led air strikes against the Houthis began more than a month ago and are still continuing.

There are credible reports of families in Aden trapped by the bombardment and snipers targeting civilians in the street,” said the statement. “Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, humanitarian warehouses and UN compounds, are unacceptable and in violation of international humanitarian law.”

The statement said violence had severely blocked shipments of food, fuel and healthcare.

“The Secretary-General calls on all parties to ensure that humanitarian agencies and their partners have safe and reliable access to bring aid workers and supplies into Yemen and to deliver aid to millions of people in need,” said the statement, adding Mr Ban’s call for an immediate ceasefire.

It also urged immediate resumption of fuel imports to avoid making the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in the country even worse.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2015

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