Saudi-led air strike hits wrong target, kills dozens of civilians
A Saudi-led airstrike in Yemen killed seven civilians, including two
children, a few days after the coalition assured U.S. officials it would
take steps to avoid collateral damage.
The strikes were intended to target Houthi rebel fighters backed by Iran
but hit a civilian area instead. Other fighting over the weekend killed
32 rebel fighters and injured more than a dozen in Hodeidah.
The Yemeni conflict has created an humanitarian crisis with an estimated
11 million children facing food shortages, disease and a lack of social
services. Coalition forces seized a critical supply route last week,
which could lead to more shortages.
The United Nations signed a memorandum of understanding with the rebels to allow the air lifting of ill patients out of Yemen.
"The memorandum of understanding is the first step to alleviate the
suffering of patients in need of treatment abroad," said Yemeni Foreign
Minister Hisham Sharaf Abdullah. "The move does not in any way mean we
are delaying our demand to reopen Sanaa International Airport for
commercial and civil flights. The air bridge covers only a limited
number of cases, but is necessary in light of the continued siege and
aggression."
The Yemen civil war has dragged on for more than three years, with Saudi
Arabia and United Arab Emirates forces fighting Houthi rebels for
control of the country. The United States provides midair refueling to
the coalition. The U.S. assistance is provided on the condition that
steps will be taken to avoid targeting civilians. Last week, U.S.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Saudis have taken "demonstrable
actions" to reduce harm to civilians.
An Aug. 9 airstrike hit a bus carrying mostly children in an attack that
killed 50 and injured 77. The Houthi rebels retaliated by firing nearly
200 missiles at Saudi Arabia, killing 112.
The latest missile attack was targeted at civilians but Saudi Arabia defenses intercepted it, officils said.
The United States and Saudi Arabia blame Iran for providing the missiles to Yemen, a claim refuted by Tehran.
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