UN Official: Saudi Airstrikes on Saada in Yemen Violate International Law

The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Yemen stated on Saturday, May 8, that airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition on the city of Saada in Yemen violate international law. According to Reuters, despite Saudi Arabia urging citizens of Saada to leave the area, many people remain trapped in the city. Johan van der Klaauw, the UN humanitarian coordinator, declared in a statement: "Indiscriminate bombing of residential areas, whether with prior warning or not, contradicts international humanitarian law." The UN humanitarian coordinator stated that warning civilians about imminent attacks cannot absolve the obligations under international law to protect civilian lives. According to this UN official, dozens of civilians have been killed in the recent wave of airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition, and thousands have been forced to flee their homes. Meanwhile, reports indicate that coalition fighter jets targeted Houthi militant positions in Saada province and the Al-Sadah area on Saturday, May 8. According to Reuters, the Houthis claim that coalition fighter jets have conducted over 100 airstrikes in areas of Saada and Hajjah provinces. Additionally, Saudi state television reported that Houthi gathering places in the Al-Sadah area of Al-Bayda province in central Yemen were targeted in airstrikes. In this context, eyewitnesses told Reuters that coalition fighter jets bombed Sana'a airport. Reports also indicate that battles between Houthi militia forces and troops loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh continue with local forces and supporters of Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi in central Aden. AFP also reported that Saudi fighter jets and artillery have repeatedly attacked areas of the city of Maran, the birthplace of Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the insurgents, and its surroundings. Eyewitnesses stated that these attacks disrupted the communications and telecommunications network of the city. According to Al-Arabiya, General Ahmed Asiri, the spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition, stated in a press conference that more than 130 sorties have been conducted over Yemen since yesterday, targeting over 100 locations. He warned the Houthis that they made a grave mistake by attacking the "Najran area." This military spokesman also urged civilian residents in Saada and Maran to leave these areas, as airstrikes will continue in these two regions. The Saudi-led coalition has been bombing Houthi positions and military units loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 26, but Saudi Arabia and allied countries announced that a five-day ceasefire will be established starting Tuesday, which could be extended if the Houthis comply. Saudi Arabia and allied Arab countries accuse Iran of supporting the Houthis, a claim that Iran denies. The Houthis have been able to take control of Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, since September last year. Following the Houthis' rise to power, President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi fled from Sana'a to Aden. However, as the Houthis advanced, he was forced to flee again and is now in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.