Local Editor

"There is no military solution to this [Yemen] conflict", United Nations [UN] Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stressed in a speech at the Fourth Summit of Arab and South American Countries in Saudi Arabia’s capital of Riyadh.

The UN chief who visited Saudi Arabia, in November 10, underlined the need for ending the bloodshed in Yemen. 

"In Yemen, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Civilian casualties continue to mount", Ban stressed.

He also urged all sides "to do their utmost to alleviate the humanitarian plight of the people of Yemen and to avoid civilian casualties." 

Furthermore, Ban underlined that his Special Envoy in Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh, intends to convene a new round of peace consultations in Switzerland this month [November] and both the Government of Yemen and the Houthis have committed to attend. 

"There is no military solution to this conflict. Indeed, pursuing such a solution would result in heavy loss of life and further destabilize an already fragile region", he further stressed.

A Saudi-led coalition backed by the United States has been carrying out a military aggression on Yemen by launching airstrikes against the country since March 26.

The airstrikes have not been authorized by the UN.