Sana'a: The General Federation of Yemeni Trade Unions condemned the Saudi aggression against Sana'a International Airport, a dangerous escalation that violates Yemeni sovereignty, undermines de-escalation efforts, exacerbates the suffering of civilians, and constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.
According to Yemen News Agency, a statement issued by the Federation's Executive Office explained that targeting Sana'a Airport comes within the context of the ongoing blockade imposed on Yemen for more than ten years under American and Israeli orders and directives. The statement emphasized that the continued closure of the airport deprives thousands of patients, travelers, students, and expatriates of their right to movement, medical treatment, and travel, in clear violation of international conventions that prohibit targeting civilian objects and mandate their protection.
The statement pointed out that Sana'a International Airport is a civilian facility that provides humanitarian services to citizens, and targeting it constitutes a grave violation of the principles of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality, and amounts to a war crime and a crime against humanity, as it is a deliberate targeting of a vital civilian facility. The statement held the Saudi regime fully responsible for this crime and its grave humanitarian consequences. It also held the United States responsible for its continued support of the aggression and blockade, and the United Nations and the Security Council legally and morally responsible for their continued silence regarding these crimes.
The Federation's statement called for an independent and transparent international investigation to hold all those responsible for these violations accountable under international law. It urged the international community and human rights and humanitarian organizations to take immediate action to stop the targeting of civilian infrastructure, lift the blockade on the Yemeni people, and ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes do not escape punishment.
The Union reiterated its call for the formation of an independent and impartial international commission of inquiry to investigate all crimes and violations committed against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to take the necessary measures to stop the aggression, end the blockade, and guarantee respect for the rules of international humanitarian law.
Furthermore, the statement called on all labor, trade union, and human rights organizations, and all free people of the world, to condemn the Saudi aggression against Yemen and to stand on the side of truth, refusing to condone the Saudi regime's actions against civilians, innocent people, and civilian infrastructure, whether through silence or by siding with the aggressor. It affirmed Yemen's legitimate right to defend every inch of its homeland.