A senior official in humanitarian affairs at the United Nations has called for an immediate investigation into reports that say dozens were killed and injured in an "Arab coalition attack" on a wedding ceremony in Yemen. Stephen O'Brien, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, stated in a statement published on October 9 that he is "deeply concerned" by these reports. Mr. O'Brien said, "I call for a transparent and impartial investigation into this incident." According to initial reports from Yemen, at least 13 people were killed in an attack on a wedding ceremony in an area controlled by the Houthis, which witnesses say was carried out by the "Saudi-led coalition." Mr. O'Brien cited Yemen's Ministry of Health, providing updated figures that indicate this incident left at least 47 victims and 35 injured. Many of the dead and injured are women and children. AFP reports that medical officials on the scene have confirmed the deaths of at least 28 people. The explosion occurred in a house in the city of Sanban in the Dhamar province, which was a gathering place for a tribal group of Houthi supporters in Yemen for the wedding ceremony. This is the second deadly attack of this kind on a wedding ceremony, for which the Saudi-led coalition has been accused. However, this coalition, which conducts attacks against the Houthis, has denied any involvement or role in the previous incident. Stephen O'Brien stated that since the beginning of the Saudi-led coalition's attacks in Yemen, 4,500 civilians have lost their lives. According to this UN official, this number of casualties, compared to the timeframe of the attacks, is "more than any other country or crisis in the world." The Arab coalition has declared its aim to restore power to Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, the exiled president of Yemen. Amnesty International states that this coalition may have committed war crimes. The Houthis are supported by Iranian officials and continue to control Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, and its surrounding areas. Amnesty International has previously warned about the possibility of war crimes being committed by all parties involved in Yemen, including the Houthis.
UN Calls for Investigation into Attack on Wedding Ceremony in Yemen
The UN has called for an immediate investigation into an attack on a wedding in Yemen that reportedly killed dozens, including women and children. The Saudi-led coalition is accused of the attack, which has raised concerns about civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict. This incident highlights the severe humanitarian crisis in Yemen and the need for accountability.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The UN has called for an investigation into an attack on a wedding ceremony in Yemen that reportedly killed dozens, including women and children. The Saudi-led coalition is accused of carrying out the attack, raising concerns about civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict.
- At least 47 victims were reported, with many being women and children.
- This incident marks the second deadly attack on a wedding ceremony attributed to the Saudi-led coalition.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis with millions affected by violence and famine. The conflict involves multiple factions, including the internationally recognized government, the Houthis, and various regional powers.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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