UN chief calls for new push to stop 'stupid war' in Yemen

TEHRAN (defapress) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Sunday for a renewed push to end the "stupid war" in Yemen waged by Saudi-led coalition that has killed more than 12,000 civilians since 2015.

News ID: 67392

Date: 11 December 2017 - 09:59

Speaking to CNN on Sunday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the Saudi-led aggression in Yemen that has taken lives of thousands of civilians since 2015, saying "I believe this is a stupid war. I think this war is against the interests of Saudi Arabia and the Emirates... (and) of the people of Yemen."

"What we need is a political solution,” Guterres said, voicing hope that the Trump administration could pressure Saudi Arabia to ease the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

"I hope that President Trump has put a lot of pressure recently... A lot of humanitarian aid is already going in."

The UN chief was referring to the recent stance of US president Donald Trump on demanding that ally Saudi Arabia immediately allow vital humanitarian supplies to reach Yemen while not asking for an end to the airstrikes carried out by Saudi-led coalition against Yemeni people.

Guterres went on to express hope that a Saudi blockade of Yemen's ports would be lifted soon.

"This war is causing, in my opinion, terrible suffering to the Yemeni people," he said. "It's in the interests of everybody to stop this war."