UN: 68 Civilians Killed in Airstrikes on Yemen on Tuesday

The UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen announced that 68 civilians were killed in two airstrikes by a regional coalition led by Saudi Arabia in one day. According to AFP, Jamie McGoldrick stated in a statement on Thursday, January 7, that in the first airstrike, which targeted a crowded market in Taiz province on Tuesday, January 5, 54 civilians, including eight children, were killed and 32 others were injured. Mr. McGoldrick added that the second attack on the same day in Hodeidah province resulted in the deaths of 14 family members. The UN humanitarian coordinator then said, "I am deeply saddened by the increasing civilian casualties caused by indiscriminate and escalating attacks." This UN official further noted that aside from the 68 fatalities on Tuesday, 41 civilians had been killed and 43 others injured in the past 10 days of the Yemen war. Jamie McGoldrick stated, "These incidents demonstrate the complete disregard for human life by all parties, including the Saudi coalition, and also show that this senseless war has only led to the destruction of this country and the immense suffering of its people." He then urged all parties to the conflict in Yemen, including the Saudi-led regional coalition, to adhere to their commitments regarding international humanitarian law by refraining from attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure and distinguishing between civilian and military targets. According to the World Health Organization, since the coalition's intervention in Yemen, over 8,750 people have been killed in the country. Previously, the International Committee of the Red Cross had reported on December 30 that the number of suspected cholera cases in Yemen had reached one million. A day later, the Saudi-led regional coalition issued a statement calling the Red Cross report exaggerated, stating, "It is nearly impossible to determine whether suspected cases are cholera or ordinary diarrhea." The International Committee of the Red Cross warned about the cholera epidemic in Yemen, stating that the civil war has left 80% of the population facing shortages of food, fuel, drinking water, and healthcare services. The regional coalition has been conducting airstrikes in Yemen since 2015 in support of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, the UN-recognized president, against the Houthi group. The attacks on the Houthis occurred when this group had gained relative superiority in the Yemeni civil war, including taking control of Sana'a, the capital of the country. Following a missile strike by the Houthis on Riyadh airport in November of this year, the Saudi coalition completely closed Yemen's ports and airports. With increasing international criticism, Saudi Arabia granted permission for a few UN aid flights to land at Sana'a airport in early December. Meanwhile, last Thursday, Saudi Arabia announced it had agreed to open the Hodeidah port, controlled by the Houthis, for 30 days for humanitarian assistance.