Yemen: Ban condemns airstrikes that reportedly struck wedding party and killed over 100

28 September 2015 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the airstrikes that reportedly struck a wedding party in Wahijah village, outside of the Red Sea port city of Mokha in Yemen, killing as many as 135 people.

"The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims and a swift recovery to those injured," his spokesperson said in a statement.

"The Secretary-General has consistently stated that there is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen. Its continuation will only bring more human suffering and destruction."

Since the uprisings in early 2011, the Secretary-General has used his good offices to engage with Yemeni political leaders and civil society to promote a peaceful, orderly and inclusive political transition process. These efforts have been stepped up following the military operation launched on 25 March by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia.

The Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Yemen, Ould Cheikh Ahmed, is working intensively to bring the parties back to the negotiating table.

Mr. Ban called once again on all parties involved in the Yemeni conflict, from inside and outside the country, "to immediately cease all military activities and resolve all differences through peaceful negotiations facilitated by his Special Envoy."

The statement added that any intentional attack against civilians is considered a serious violation of international humanitarian law and should be investigated through prompt, effective, independent and impartial mechanisms to ensure accountability.