UN chief condemns airstrikes on Yemeni civilians

UNITED NATIONS, April 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday strongly condemned airstrikes by the Saudi-led military coalition on a wedding party in Yemen and on a civilian vehicle, which caused heavy civilian casualties.

Sunday night's airstrikes on a wedding party in the northwestern Hajjah province left more than 20 people dead and dozens of others injured. On Friday, 20 civilians were killed when the vehicle they were traveling in was hit in an airstrike in the south of Taiz province.

Guterres called for a prompt, effective and transparent investigation of the incidents, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric in a statement.

The secretary-general expressed his deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed.

Guterres reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law concerning the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure during armed conflicts, said the statement.

The Saudi-led coalition is fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen in a bid to restore the internationally recognized government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. Enditem