Australia has voiced concerns about civilian deaths in the conflict in Yemen and backed calls for a ceasefire.

Saudi Arabia-led air strikes in Yemen are seeking to halt the advance of rebels known as Houthis, who have forced Yemen’s president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee to Riyadh.

The United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, has called for a return to political negotiations to resolve the “rapidly deteriorating” situation in which “countless civilians are being wilfully abandoned to misery”.

He said hundreds of civilians had been killed in a conflict that could cause “deep and long-lasting regional repercussions”.

Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop, added her voice to calls for a ceasefire on Sunday. Bishop said all combatants in Yemen should negotiate a permanent end to the conflict.

“The [Australian] government is particularly concerned about the welfare of civilians caught up in the fighting and calls upon armed groups to show restraint,” Bishop said in a statement.

“Australia recognises the legitimacy of the government of President Hadi and calls upon the Houthis to return to the negotiating table. Political dialogue is the ultimate solution to the current crisis and all parties need to engage in negotiations in support of Yemen’s long-term stability.”



Bishop is scheduled to visit Iran this week. Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of providing military support to the Houthi rebels in Yemen, while Iranian leaders have called for a ceasefire and accused Saudi Arabia of genocide.

Bishop said the Australian government recognised “the legitimate interests of Yemen’s neighbours in maintaining regional security, and the important role the Gulf Cooperation Council has played in assisting Yemen in recent years”.

“We note President Hadi’s request for protection and the military action taken in response by Saudi Arabia,” she said.

Bishop reaffirmed the Australian government’s travel advice, first issued in 2011, for Australians to depart Yemen immediately. She said the government’s ability to provide assistance to Australians remaining in Yemen was extremely limited.

Bishop is expected to use her forthcoming trip to Iran to lobby for the country to accept the return of asylum seekers whose refugee applications have been rejected by Australia. Iran refuses to allow the forcible return of such people.

Bishop has previously said she would also discuss nuclear issues and “other important bilateral and regional issues” with Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, and other leaders in Tehran.

Australia has contributed to the international coalition fighting the Islamic State militant group in Iraq, but is not directly involved in air strikes in Syria.

Ban last week underlined the potential for the situation in Yemen to exacerbate regional tensions.



“The coalition air raids – and the continuing attempts by the Houthis and their allied armed groups to expand their power – have turned an internal political crisis into a violent conflict that risks deep and long-lasting regional repercussions,” the UN secretary general said.

“The last thing the region and our world need is more of the chaos and crimes we have seen in Libya and Syria.”

At least 643 people died and thousands were injured in the violence in Yemen between 19 March and 6 April, according to health facility-based figures compiled by the World Health Organisation.