“Killing of innocent civilians is unacceptable and cannot be justified for any reasons whatsoever,” MEA

India on Thursday strongly condemned a deadly attack at the Aden airport in Yemen shortly after a plane carrying the cabinet ministers of the war-ravaged country’s newly formed government landed. At least 25 people were killed and 110 wounded in the blast.

“India strongly condemns the attack at Aden airport yesterday upon the arrival of Cabinet members of the recently formed government. We express our sincere condolences to the people and Government of Yemen and the families of those who were killed in the attack. We wish the early recovery of those injured,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in response to media queries.

“The killing of innocent civilians is unacceptable and cannot be justified for any reasons whatsoever. We hope that the recent efforts for achieving peace and stability in Yemen will continue for an inclusive and negotiated settlement,” the MEA spokesperson maintained.

As part of the Riyadh agreement, the new government in Yemen was formed. It was pushed by Saudi Arabia in an effort to end hostilities between Yemen’s internationally recognised government and southern separatists. The Yemen government has accused Houthi rebels of firing ballistic missiles at the airport.