GENEVA: Saudi Arabia has rejected accusations from two human rights groups that the Saudi-led Arab coalition — helping restore legitimacy in Yemen — has conducted indiscriminate airstrikes that have killed civilians.
Faisal Trad, Saudi ambassador to the Human Rights Council, said Thursday that the Kingdom was keen to abide by international law, review allegations about its military operations and assist aid workers and advocacy groups in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Iran-backed power-hungry Houthi rebels and other thugs supporting deposed President Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 2015.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International on Wednesday called for Saudi Arabia's suspension from the Geneva-based body until Saudi forces halt “indiscriminate airstrikes” in Yemen.
In an e-mail to The Associated Press, Trad countered that the two groups were "rejecting the facts" and "the truth about what is happening in Yemen," pointing to "violations" committed by the Houthis.
"With regard to Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the coalition (are) keen to abide by international humanitarian law and apply the highest international rules of engagement which corresponds with international regulations,” Trad wrote.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, after initially criticizing Saudi Arabia, has also acknowledged Kingdom’s peacekeeping efforts and continuing aid to developing countries in the region and worldwide.
Faisal Trad, Saudi ambassador to the Human Rights Council, said Thursday that the Kingdom was keen to abide by international law, review allegations about its military operations and assist aid workers and advocacy groups in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Iran-backed power-hungry Houthi rebels and other thugs supporting deposed President Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 2015.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International on Wednesday called for Saudi Arabia's suspension from the Geneva-based body until Saudi forces halt “indiscriminate airstrikes” in Yemen.
In an e-mail to The Associated Press, Trad countered that the two groups were "rejecting the facts" and "the truth about what is happening in Yemen," pointing to "violations" committed by the Houthis.
"With regard to Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the coalition (are) keen to abide by international humanitarian law and apply the highest international rules of engagement which corresponds with international regulations,” Trad wrote.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, after initially criticizing Saudi Arabia, has also acknowledged Kingdom’s peacekeeping efforts and continuing aid to developing countries in the region and worldwide.
