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1st LD Writethru: UN chief slams deadly attacks on school in northern Yemen

Xinhua, August 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday condemned a deadly attack on a school in northern Yemen, which killed at least 10 children and injured many more.

The deadly attack on Saturday was "reported to have been an airstrike," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman.

"The secretary-general notes with dismay that civilians, including children, continue to bear the brunt of increased fighting and military operations in Yemen."

"He calls for a swift investigation of this tragic event and urges the parties to take all necessary measures to prevent further violations of international humanitarian lawand human rights and do everything in their power to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure," said the statement.

The secretary-general reiterated that there is no military solution to the crisis in Yemen," the statement said. "He calls upon the parties to renew -- without delay and in good faith -- their engagement with his special envoy for Yemen in pursuit of a negotiated solution."

Twenty-eight people were injured in a Saudi-led airstrike on Saturday, after a school in the Houthi main stronghold province of Saada was hit, the humanitarian association Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said, adding that the children were between eight and 15 years old. The Houthi-held Saba news agency also reported the airstrike.

The Saudi-led warplanes launched over 100 airstrikes against Houthi military targets in several northern provinces on Saturday, including the Houthi-held capital Sana'a.

Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in support of exiled Yemeni government in 2015, but failed to bring it back to power.

The war and airstrikes in Yemen have since killed over 6,400 people, mostly civilians. Endi