UN Expresses Concern Over Civilian Drone Attacks in Yemen
The UN raises alarms about civilian casualties in Yemen due to ongoing drone and missile attacks, urging accountability for violations.
New York, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : The United Nations has voiced serious concerns regarding the impact of violence on civilians in Yemen. On November 14, Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, highlighted the ongoing threats faced by ordinary citizens and critical infrastructure across the country due to relentless drone strikes, missile attacks, air raids, and shelling.
Haq noted that hospitals, markets, and homes—previously considered safe—are now sites of civilian casualties, including many children. He emphasized that this alarming trend should not become an accepted reality of the Yemen conflict. Under international law, all parties are obligated to uphold their responsibilities in every situation.
He reiterated the need for all possible precautions to protect civilians from harm and stressed the importance of holding accountable those who violate these rules.
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has demanded that the body of UN staff member Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Shami, who reportedly died in Houthi custody two weeks ago, be handed over to his family without delay.
Haq mentioned that Turk has urged Houthi authorities to take immediate steps to investigate the date, cause, and circumstances of Al-Shami’s death, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. The High Commissioner has also called for the immediate and unconditional release of detained UN and humanitarian workers.
Al-Shami was among approximately 70 UN personnel held by the Houthis, some of whom have been in custody since 2024.
Earlier, on Thursday, the UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution extending sanctions on Yemen—specifically asset freezes and travel bans—until November 14, 2027.
The newly issued Resolution 2837 also extends the mandate of the ‘expert panel’ assisting in the enforcement of these sanctions until December 15, 2027, and requests that the panel submit its final report to the Security Council by October 15, 2027.
The resolution condemns the Houthis for escalating military activities, cross-border and maritime attacks against Saudi Arabia, and threats to commercial shipping. It demands an immediate and unconditional halt to military operations and assaults by the Houthis.
Resolution 2837 reaffirms the targeted arms embargo against the Houthis established in 2015 under Resolution 2216.
