Saudi Arabia: Aid to Yemen Will Be Sent When Conditions Are Right

In response to the International Red Cross's request for a temporary ceasefire and aid delivery to Yemeni citizens, Saudi Arabia, which leads the coalition against Houthi rebels, stated that aid will be sent to Yemen when conditions are suitable. General Ahmed Asiri, the spokesman for the Saudi army, said on April 4 that 'aid will arrive when we are able to create the conditions, [as a result] the aid will benefit the people.' According to the Saudi general, the coalition against the Houthi rebels deems it necessary that aid reaches Yemen only when it does not interfere with ongoing operations, does not endanger the lives of aid workers, and does not fall into the wrong hands. Prior to General Asiri's statements, the International Red Cross had called for a 24-hour ceasefire in Yemen and for all land, air, and sea routes to be opened for access to those trapped during the airstrikes by Saudi Arabia and its allies. The International Red Cross has called for an immediate ceasefire among the parties involved in Yemen. The ongoing conflicts and operations in Yemen have led to the closure of airports and the suspension of port activities, which has practically created difficulties for aid workers and humanitarian organizations. However, the Saudi army spokesman stated that the coalition does not want militants to access the aid. The Saudi-led coalition began its air operations in Yemen ten days ago, targeting the Shia Houthi rebels who have overthrown Yemen's President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and advanced towards Aden, in the south of the country, with the help of loyal forces to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. A map from the New York Times indicates the locations of recent conflicts and attacks; on the right: Al-Qaeda's attack on government buildings and the release of hundreds of prisoners on April 2. Top left: coalition airstrike on March 30 that left dozens dead and wounded in a camp. Bottom left: explosion in a workshop that resulted in 33 deaths on April 1. Bottom: on March 26, Doctors Without Borders reported receiving 111 injured in just one day. According to UN officials, during nearly two weeks of conflict, 519 people have been killed and 1,700 injured. The International Red Cross stated that tens of thousands are fleeing war-torn areas, scattered on roads or seeking refuge in villages. In recent days, various countries have evacuated their citizens from Yemen. In this context, Yemeni rebels have seized the presidential palace in Aden, and Saudi special forces have entered Yemeni territory. The Red Cross and Russia have called for a halt to airstrikes in Yemen.