Saudi denies coalition hit Yemen MSF hospital
The Saudi mission to the United Nations said its aircrafts were not in Saada when the incident happened
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday denied that coalition air strikes hit a hospital in Yemen run by medical charity MSF after the attack was condemned by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
The hospital in the northern city of Saada was hit late Monday, but MSF (Doctors Without Borders) said there were no casualties.
The Saudi mission to the United Nations said in a statement that “the Arab coalition aircrafts did not attack the hospital” and were not in Saada at the time.
Coalition forces had been given the exact coordinates of the hospital which were placed “within the forbidden targets,” the Saudi statement said.
“Accordingly, this hospital could not have been targeted by the coalition forces,” it added.
The Saudi mission said a thorough investigation was under way and expressed its “deep regret” that Ban had blamed the coalition “without waiting for full and accurate information about that regrettable incident.”
In a statement issued Tuesday, Ban condemned the air strikes which he said had been carried out by the Saudi-led coalition and called for an investigation.
The U.N. chief renewed his call for an end to the fighting including the air campaign launched by Saudi Arabia in March to push back an advance by Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen.
A U.N. bid to launch peace talks in June failed over demands for a Houthi withdrawal from seized territory, but this time, much effort is put in ensuring there is agreement on the agenda.
[With AFP]
-
Saudi transport projects going ahead as scheduled: minister
Spanish train maker Talgo said in July that Saudi Arabia had cancelled a $201 million contract Aviation & Transport -
Saudi relationship with Britain is ‘under threat,’ warns ambassador
Prince Mohammed responded to “intense criticism” over Saudi Arabia’s treatment of the refugee crisis Middle East -
France to host Syria talks on Tuesday
His comments came on the same day that leaders from Russia, the United States, Turkey and Saudi Arabia gathered in Vienna Middle East -
Saudi Arabia shuts down alcohol factories
Alcoholic drinks were produced and were mixed with Dettol hygiene solution to change their color into something less distinguishable Middle East -
Saudi Arabia sets up new labor committees to protect rights
Companies have been instructed to set out an internal law, approved by The Labor Ministry, to be followed by all workers Middle East -
Saudi-led coalition drops weapons for allies in Yemen
The coalition dropped weapons in the southwestern city of Taiz, Yemen's third largest Middle East -
Unable to afford expenses, young Saudi men opt for ‘limited marriage’
Misyar is a type of marriage contract carried out normally according to Islamic customs but with stipulates couples give up certain rights Variety -
Saudi Arabia moves to privatize sports from next year
Sports in Saudi Arabia will be privatized from next year and will begin with big soccer clubs, according to informed sources Sports