UN chief voices concern over escalation in Yemeni conflict
United Nations, May 10: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday voiced deep concern over the recent and sharp escalation in the Yemen conflict, between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
Airstrikes by the Saudi-led military coalition hit a government building in the rebel-held Yemeni capital of Sanaa on Monday, and the Houthi rebels fired ballistic missiles on Sunday and Wednesday toward different targets in Saudi Arabia, including the capital city of Riyadh, Xinhua news agency reported.
The secretary-general reminded all parties to the conflict that they must uphold international humanitarian law, including taking steps to protect civilians, said Dujarric in a statement. "All potential violations of international humanitarian law should be thoroughly investigated and those responsible for violations must be held accountable."
The UN chief appealed to the parties to refrain from further escalation. He reminded the parties that a negotiated political settlement through inclusive intra-Yemeni dialogue is the only way to end the conflict and address the ongoing humanitarian crisis, said the statement.
Yemen has been in civil war since 2015, pitting Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. The Saudi-led military coalition is fighting the Houthis in a bid to restore the Hadi government.
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Karnataka approves railway barricades in Madikeri, Nagarhole to curb human-elephant conflict
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday said a 7-km railway barricade has been approved for the Madikeri division and 20 km for the Nagarhole division in 2025–26 to curb human-elephant conflict in the regions.
Responding to a proposal raised by BJP MLC Suja Kushalappa during Zero Hour in the Legislative Council, he assured that work on the proposed railway barricades would begin soon.
Citing the death of a 17-year-old girl in an elephant attack on February 28 and that of a tribal woman on March 9 in the state, the minister said these deaths caused by elephant attacks were "extremely painful".
"Human life is very precious and cannot be valued in monetary terms. The Forest Department is taking all measures to prevent human-wildlife conflict."
The minister further said steps such as maintenance of elephant-proof trenches and solar-powered fencing were being undertaken, while two elephant task forces were currently in operation.
Orders have also been issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden to capture two rogue elephants.
In both cases, Rs 5 lakh compensation has already been disbursed to the families of the deceased, and the remaining Rs 15 lakh each will be provided within a week, he added.
Khandre said the government was making sincere efforts to find a permanent solution to the human–elephant conflict.
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