At least 41 civilians killed in Saudi attacks in Yemen

News agencies, citing medical officials and Yemeni witnesses, report that dozens have been killed in airstrikes by the Arab coalition in a region in the northwest of the country. The recent attacks occurred in Hajjah province, with the Associated Press stating that a busy market was the main target. The Yemeni news agency (Saba), controlled by the Houthis, reports 65 dead and 55 injured. Reuters, citing hospital officials, states that 41 are dead and 75 injured. Ayman, the director of the Hajjah Health Department, told Reuters that three attacks occurred on March 15 targeting a military market. According to him, those present at the site gathered the victims and transported the injured to hospitals. A witness at the scene told the Associated Press that people collected body parts in blankets and bags. Doctors Without Borders reported that over 40 injured, all civilians including an eight-year-old child, were transferred in critical condition to a hospital in Mustaba, located in Hajjah province. General Ahmed Asiri, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, stated that investigations will be conducted regarding the published reports: 'It is still too early to talk about this until we have a correct picture of the events. However, if anyone has been killed or injured, we are sorry.' According to Reuters, Asiri stated that Yemeni army forces (supporters of the ousted President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi) were conducting operations in part of Hajjah. It has been over a year since the Houthi uprising and a group of supporters of Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former president of Yemen, which led to the ousting of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and ultimately his seeking refuge in Saudi Arabia. Last year, Saudi Arabia formed a coalition and entered the battles in Yemen to restore Hadi's power. Iranian officials are among the supporters of the Houthis, and many analysts describe the battles in Yemen as a 'proxy war' between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Hajjah province came under Houthi control in September 2014. The battles in Yemen have left over 6,200 civilian casualties and displaced millions from their homes. Yemen is also on the brink of widespread famine.