Categories: Hard NewsMiddle East

UN: Saudi Use of Cluster Bomb in Yemen May Amount to War Crime

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned that the use of cluster bombs in Yemen by Saudi Arabia may amount to war crimes.

“The use of cluster munitions in populated areas may amount to a war crime due to their indiscriminate nature,” the UN chief said in a statement on Friday, AFP reported.

Ban said he had received “troubling reports” of cluster bomb attacks on January 6 on the Yemeni capital of Sana’a.

Cluster bombs are banned under a 2008 international convention, although Saudi Arabia and the United States are not signatories.

The office of the UN high commissioner for human rights said Tuesday that its staff in Yemen had found remnants of 29 cluster bombs during a field visit in Haradh district in the northwest.

The warning over possible war crimes was a clear sign of mounting frustration at the UN with Saudi Arabia’s 10-month aggression against Yemen.

The UN chief said he was “deeply concerned about the intensification of coalition airstrikes and ground fighting and shelling in Yemen, despite repeated calls for a renewed cessation of hostilities.”

The Saudi-led strikes have claimed the lives of more than 7,500 people and injured nearly 14,000 others. They have also taken a heavy toll on the impoverished country’s facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories.

Emad Askarieh

Emad Askarieh has worked as a journalist since 2002. The main focus of his work is foreign policy and world diplomacy. He started his career at Iran Front Page Media Group, and is currently serving as the World Editor and the Vice-President for Executive Affairs at the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website.

Recent Posts

Advisor to Iran leader: Tehran ready for talks, but won’t give in to pressure over nuclear issue

Kamal Kharrazi, the head of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and an advisor to…

10 hours ago

President Pezeshkian says Tehran committed to complete North-South transit corridor

Iran's President Massoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed the Iranian government's commitment to completing the North-South transit…

10 hours ago

Art event brings diplomats, artists and ordinary citizens together inside Iranian Foreign Ministry

An artistic event titled Autumn-Leaf was held in Meydan Mashgh, within Iran’s Foreign Ministry’s premises…

13 hours ago

North Korea preparing to ship more forces, drones to Russia: S. Korea

North Korea is preparing to deploy additional troops, weapons and other military equipment, including drones,…

13 hours ago

Iran, E3 set to resume talks in January: Spokesman

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has stated that a fresh round of talks between Iran…

14 hours ago

Legendary Iranian actress, voice performer Zhaleh Olov passes away

Zhaleh Olov, a celebrated actress of Iranian cinema, theater, television, and a renowned radio voice…

15 hours ago