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UN calls for inquiry into deadly attack on refugee boat off Yemen

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ABU DHABI: The United Nations on Monday called for an investigation into an air strike that targeted a refugee boat off the western coast of Yemen, killing 42 people. “Over 40 lives have been lost in this unwarranted attack on helpless civilians fleeing violence and conflict,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.


The boat was struck off Yemen’s western Hodeidah province last week while allegedly heading to Sudan with more than 140 migrants on board from Yemen and Somalia.


The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) condemned the attack and urged warring parties in the region to do everything possible to protect civilians.


“Many questions remain unanswered on the circumstances of this horrific event. We call on all parties to the conflict to make proper inquiries to ensure accountability and to prevent this from happening again,” Grandi added.


The United Arab Emirates denied targeting the boat and welcomed an independent international investigation into the incident.


The Gulf country is a member of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Ansar Allah fighters, who seized control of the capital Sanaa and other parts of Yemen in 2014. — dpa


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