UN: Saudi-Led Air Raids Martyr 68 Yemen Civilians in One Day

Local Editor

Sixty-eight Yemeni civilians were martyred in two separate air raids by the Saudi-led Arab coalition in one day, the UN humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen Jamie McGoldrick said on Thursday.

In his statement McGoldrick said: "I remain deeply disturbed by mounting civilian casualties caused by escalated and indiscriminate attacks throughout Yemen."

Initial reports from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR] indicate that on 26 December, airstrikes on a crowded popular market in Al Hayma sub-district in Attazziah district, Taiz Governorate resulted in at least 54 civilians martyred, including eight children, and 32 others injured including six children.

During the past days, residential areas in Al Hayma villages, including a health unit occupied by Internally Displaced Persons, had been subject to a full blockade by the de facto authorities and indiscriminate shelling that resulted in casualties among the residents and displacement of many families to safer areas.

Also on 26 December, an airstrike on a farm in Attohayta District, Al Hodeida Governorate resulted in the martyring of 14 people from the same family. These new victims are in addition to 84 civilian casualties reported in the last 10 days, including 41 people martyred, and 43 people injured by airstrikes in several governorates throughout Yemen.

"These incidents prove the complete disregard for human life that all parties, including the Saudi-led Coalition, continue to show in this absurd war that has only resulted in the destruction of the country and the incommensurate suffering of its people, who are being punished as part of a futile military campaign by both sides," the UN humanitarian coordinator said.

He further added, "I remind all parties to the conflict, including the Saudi-led Coalition, of their obligations under International Humanitarian Law to spare civilians and civilian infrastructure and to always distinguish between civilian and military objects."

As the conflict in which civilians have borne the brunt marks 1000 days, McGoldrick reminded all parties that there is no military solution to the conflict, assuring that "There can only be a political solution."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team