Saudi war planes have bombarded the rebel-held Yemeni capital of Sana’a just hours before a five-day humanitarian ceasefire was set to begin.
The Royal Saudi Air Force launched more than 180 strikes over the last 24 hours in the Yemeni capital, as it aims to destroy Houthi strongholds in the city. The strikes have killed at least 90 civilians in the last day, and injured more than 300 more, according to the local Yemen Post newspaper.
One strike targeted a munitions factory in the city, causing an explosion that lit up the sky like a sunset
THIS IS A BOMB NOT SUNSET…. 180 #Saudi airstrikes in #Yemen capital Sanaa over 14 hours. 27 civilians killed pic.twitter.com/RxsrC0Fdga
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) May 12, 2015
Saudi Arabia are using their air power against Houthi rebels, ostensibly in support of embattled Yemeni president Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, who fled in March as the country descended into civil war.
The ceasefire was set to come into effect at 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT) to allow the shipment of food and medical supplies to reach the blockaded country.
Iran has a humanitarian vessel in international waters off the Yemeni coast ready to come into port once the ceasefire comes into effect and the blockade lifted, and a number of planes are set to take off from Dubai with tents and sleeping mats for some of those displaced from their homes by the fighting.
UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards said:
“While a humanitarian pause falls short of the peace so vitally needed in Yemen, it is nonetheless critically important that aid gets through, as existing stocks in country are becoming depleted, adding to the suffering of civilians.”
In a statement, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs at the UN said:
“I call on all those engaged in this conflict to stop the fighting and bombing and give the people of Yemen respite. It is vital that all parties respect their obligations to protect civilians under International Humanitarian Law. A pause to allow aid in and people to flee to safety would be a lifeline.”
More than 1,500 people have died in the Yemeni conflict so far, with more than 6,000 people wounded.
