Condemning Airstrikes on Health Clinic in Yemen, Secretary-General Reminds Parties of Legal Obligations to Prevent Attacks against Civilian Infrastructure

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns the airstrikes today by the Saudi-led coalition on a mobile health clinic run by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Taiz city, Yemen.  According to MSF, the strikes resulted in injuries to seven people and destroyed the clinic.  He had condemned an earlier incident on 27 October during which a hospital run by MSF in Sa’ada province was hit by airstrikes.

The Secretary-General underscores that medical facilities and medical personnel are explicitly protected under international humanitarian law.  He calls for a prompt, effective and impartial investigation into today’s incident.

The Secretary-General reminds all parties of the utmost necessity to respect their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law to prevent attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.