UN Condemns Attacks on Civilian Facilities in Saudi Arabia, Yemen

On Saturday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned attacks on civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns the recent escalation of the conflict in Yemen, including the Houthis' aerial attacks on civilian and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia on Friday, and the resulting coalition assessments in Sana'a, reportedly killing eight civilians, including five children and two women," said spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

The UN staff residential compound in Sanaa was damaged as a result of the fatalities, according to the report.

"The Secretary-General is gravely concerned about reports of continuous attacks in Hudaydah city, as well as the targeting of Hudaydah's ports, which constitute a vital humanitarian lifeline for the Yemeni people." "The Secretary-General appeals for a prompt and transparent investigation into these instances to ensure accountability," the statement stated.

Noting that the conflict is now in its eighth year, Guterres reiterated his calls for all parties to exercise maximum restraint, immediately deescalate, cease hostilities, and comply with their international humanitarian law obligations, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution.

He urged all parties to work constructively with his special envoy, without preconditions, to minimise violence and achieve a diplomatic settlement to end the crisis as soon as possible.

Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for drone and missile assaults on Saudi energy infrastructure on Friday.

One attack targeted the state oil corporation Aramco's oil storage facility, setting a fire in two storage tanks.

Following the bombings, the Saudi-led coalition launched a military offensive in Yemen, which included rebel-held Sanaa and al-Hudaydah, a Red Sea port city.

The operation's goal, according to the coalition, is to "defend global energy sources" by stopping strikes on Saudi oil facilities.

Since 2015, when Iran-aligned rebels overran parts of Yemen, including Sanaa, the Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Houthis.

According to UN estimates, the eight-year conflict has resulted in one of the world's biggest man-made humanitarian catastrophes, with about 80% of the country, or roughly 30 million people, in need of humanitarian assistance and protection, and more than 13 million in danger of hunger.