UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep sadness over reports of 50 civilians killed and wounded in an airstrike in northern Ethiopia, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Stephane Dujarric, the Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said in a statement that “the UN and its humanitarian partners are working with the Ethiopian authorities to urgently mobilise emergency assistance in the region, despite ongoing challenges due to acute shortages of fuel, cash, and supplies across Tigray.”
He also expressed “deep concern over the impact of the ongoing conflict on civilians in Ethiopia.”
Furthermore, he conveyed Guterres’ sincere condolences to the victims and their families and reiterated the secretary-general’s call for “an immediate cessation of hostilities, including airstrikes.
“All parties to the conflict must abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate humanitarian access and ensure the protection of civilians, including humanitarian actors, buildings, and sites.”
Earlier last week, an airstrike hit Mai Aini Refugee Camp in Tigray, killing three Eritrean refugees, including two children.
In an earlier statement, UNICEF Director Henrietta Fore expressed outrage at the recent air strikes on internally displaced persons and refugee camps in Tigray.
