AFP PHOTO/MOHAMMED HUWAIS
Ordinary Yemenis who have already been “hit hard” by years of conflict are enduring the effects of current military confrontations and escalations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a Thursday statement.
According to Amnesty International, Saudi Arabian airstrikes have killed at least six children among dozens of civilians. The attacks have reportedly killed 25 people to date.
Furthermore, the attacks on the international airport destroyed at least 14 homes in a nearby residential neighbourhood. Amnesty said it is believed more bodies may still be buried underneath the rubble. At least 20 more people have been admitted to a hospital with shrapnel injuries.
Saudi Arabia announced Wednesday that it will launch airstrikes on the Houthis in Yemen and has since attacked Sanaa’s airport as well as several more locations in the capital. A Thursday statement from the Gulf country quoted officials saying they had destroyed “all Houthi air defences” at the Al-Dailami base next to Sanaa International Airport.
“This high toll of civilian deaths and injuries in these attacks raises concerns about compliance with the rules of international humanitarian law,” said Boumedouha, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme, in a statement.
The international watchdogs stated that all countries taking part in coalition military operations, as well as the Houthis and other Yemeni armed forces, must all abide by international humanitarian law.
“All parties involved in the current round of violence are bound by the rules governing the conduct of hostilities,” said Head of the ICRC Yemen delegation, Cedric Schweizer.
The organisations called on Saudi Arabia to investigate whether violations were committed.
Egypt is amongst the countries that announced it backs Saudi Arabian forces both politically and militarily. In a statement, Egypt said it would also be ready to support with naval, aerial, and on-the-ground forces “if necessary”.
The presidential statement claimed that Egypt’s involvement stems from its “responsibilities” towards the people of Yemen and the country’s “security” and “stability”.
A total of ten countries, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, announced their involvement in the coalition of military intervention.
The US government also stated it had “authorised the provision of logistical and intelligence support” for these attacks.
