Statement by National Security Council Spokesperson Ned Price on Escalating Violence in Yemen
We
are deeply concerned about recent reports of escalating violence in
Yemen and resulting deaths of civilians – including the attacks that
killed an ambulance driver associated
with Medecins Sans Frontieres in Dahyan, a freelance journalist near
Sana’a, and civilians in Sana’a and at the Ras Isa oil terminal. The
United States takes all credible accounts of civilian deaths seriously
and we again call on all sides of the conflict
in Yemen to do their utmost to avoid harm to civilians and to comply
with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
The
United States also underscores the importance of promoting the safety,
security, and freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel in Yemen.
We express continuing concern
about the terrible violence impacting civilians in Taiz and the need to
allow the delivery of full and unimpeded assistance, including food,
medical supplies, and fuel to all Yemenis in need. Recent progress in
improving humanitarian access in parts of Taiz
needs to be replicated across the entire city. It is vital that all
attacks on Yemen’s Red Sea ports come to an immediate end to enable
food, medical supplies, fuel, and other essential to reach Yemenis in
all parts of the country.
