UN chief slams deadly attack on school in Yemen

UNITED NATIONS (Web Desk) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned a deadly onslaught on a school in northern Yemen, which poured down on Saturday at least 10 children and wounded many more.

The most lethal attack was “reported to have been an air strike,” a statement brought out here by the secretary general’s spokesman said.

“The secretary general notes with dismay that civilians, including kids, continue to suffer the brunt of increased combat and military operations in Yemen,” the instruction read.

“He calls for a swift investigation of this tragic issue and urges the parties to hire all necessary steps to prevent further infractions of international humanitarian law and human rights and do everything in their ability to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.”

The secretary general reiterated that there is no military solution to the crisis in Yemen. “He calls upon the parties to renew—without delay and in good faith—their engagement with his special envoy for Yemen in pursuit of a negotiated solution,” the statement said.

Twenty eight people were wounded in a Saudi led airstrike on Saturday, after a school in the Houthi main stronghold province of soda was hit, the humanitarian association Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said, adding that the children were between eight and 15 years old.

Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in support of exiled Yemeni government in 2015, but failed to convey it back to power.

The war and airstrike's in Yemen have since killed over 6,400 people, mostly civilians.