Ban, Security Council condemn terrorist attack on Yemeni mosque that leaves more than 30 dead

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the members of the United Nations Security Council today strongly condemned the suicide attack against a mosque in the northern Jarraf district of Sana’a in Yemen.

“Such attacks against places of worship are not justifiable under any circumstances,” said a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson in New York.

The attack, which took place on 2 September during evening prayers, left more than 30 people dead and almost 100 injured.

“The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims and expects that the perpetrators of these reprehensible acts will be swiftly brought to justice,” said the statement.

Yemen’s hostilities, which began in March 2014, have only exacerbated its existent humanitarian crisis; 80 percent of the country’s population is currently in need of critical aid.

Later in the day, the UN Security Council issued a press statement also condemning the attack, which the body’s members recalled was also on the same day of 2 staff members of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Yemen.

In the statement, the members of the Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured “by these heinous acts,” as well as to the people and the Government of Yemen and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Urging all parties to facilitate the urgent delivery of relief aid to all parts of Yemen, as well as rapid, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian actors to reach people in need of assistance, the Council called upon all sides to comply with international humanitarian law and to urgently work with the UN and aid organizations to bring assistance to those in need throughout the country.