UN chief condemns Saudi-led deadly airstrikes in Yemen's Saada city

New York [US], January 22 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Friday's airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition against a detention center in Yemen's Saada city.
Yemen's Houthi group reported on Friday that the death toll in an airstrike launched by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition on a temporary prison in Yemen has risen to 77.
An airstrike on telecommunications facilities in Hodeidah has also significantly disrupted vital internet services across much of Yemen, added the spokesman, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.
"The secretary-general reminds all parties that attacks directed against civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited by international humanitarian law. He further reminds all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure that civilians are protected against the dangers arising from military operations, adhering to the principles of proportionality, distinction and precaution," said the statement.
Guterres calls for prompt, effective and transparent investigations into these incidents to ensure accountability, and for urgent de-escalation of the situation, it said.
The secretary-general urges the parties to engage with his special envoy for Yemen to advance the political process and to reach a negotiated settlement to end the conflict in Yemen, it said.
Recalling the severe humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Guterres urges donors and all other stakeholders to enable humanitarian relief efforts with adequate funding, access and other support, said the statement.