Iran asks UN to arrange medical airlift for victims of Yemen funeral attack
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 October 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iran asks UN to arrange medical airlift for victims of Yemen funeral attack, 11 October 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a0c6c.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 11, 2016
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has asked the UN for help arranging a humanitarian airlift in Yemen.
Iran's foreign minister has asked United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to use his "good offices" to arrange for an Iranian aircraft to evacuate victims of an attack over the weekend that killed 140 people at a funeral in Yemen.
Mohammad Javad Zarif said he was shocked at the "tragic and horrific air strikes" by the Saudi-led coalition fighting Shi'ite Huthi rebels that killed scores at a funeral home in Yemen's capital and injured more than 525, according to the UN.
Zarif said Iran wants the Iranian Red Crescent to carry out out a humanitarian airlift, bringing in medical supplies to Sanaa and evacuating victims to hospitals in Iran.
Zarif called for Saudi Arabia and coalition supporters, which include the United States, to be held accountable for the "horrendous and heinous attack" and "war crimes perpetrated in Yemen over the past year and a half."
Ban earlier condemned the attack and called for an investigation of the air strikes.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website