UN Commissioner expresses concern over Houthi militia siege of Yemen's city of Taiz

Geneva, October 20 (KUNA) -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed deep concern on Tuesday regarding the blockade imposed by the Houthi militias, the de facto authorities, on the city of Taiz in Yemen, stressing the urgent need to allow immediate access for humanitarian aid to the city to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. In a statement issued from Geneva, Türk said, “The Houthis’ closure of the only supply route connecting Taiz to Aden exposes civilians to serious risk, hinders the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and cuts off essential supplies,” leading to soaring prices of goods and depriving many of food and other basic necessities. He added that his office has also verified the killing of 32 civilians across Taiz Governorate, including 14 children and nine women, as well as the injury of 115 civilians, including 36 children and 34 women, during the period from August 1 to October 19 of this year. Türk called on the parties to the conflict to refrain from using explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and civilian objects. The UN official renewed his call on the de facto authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all UN staff and other non-governmental organization personnel arbitrarily detained, and to promptly disclose the whereabouts of those held incommunicado for extended periods. (End) A.M.K. / N.S.A.