UN urges all parties in Yemen to end violence

By Zeynep Tufekci and Ali Avida

MA'RIB, Yemen

The United Nations Sunday urged all parties in Yemen to end the violence and “ensure the protection of civilians.”

“I am deeply concerned about the situation in #Sanaa,” Jamie McGoldrick, the U.N. Yemen and Humanitarian Coordinator, posted on Twitter.

“Initial reports indicate dozens of civilians killed and hundreds more wounded in the ongoing fighting. Many civilians are trapped in their homes. #Yemen,” McGoldrick wrote.

He urged all parties to “comply with the international humanitarian law, ensure the protection of civilians”.

“I ask the parties to stop the violence,” he posted on Twitter.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) repeated on Sunday its call to end violence.

“Violent clashes & airstrikes continue in Sanaa, #Yemen,

“Thousands stuck in their homes, with little food or water, too scared to go out for fear of getting shot. Pregnant women can't get to the hospital. Situation dire. We repeat: Civilians are not part of the fight,” the ICRC posted on Twitter.

At least 36 people have been killed in two days of rebel infighting in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, according to a medical source on Sunday.

The medical source said many civilians were among the victims, adding that 225 people were also injured in the violence.

Impoverished Yemen has remained in a state of civil war since 2014, when Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including Sanaa.

The conflict escalated when Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies launched a massive air campaign in 2015 aimed at reversing Houthi military gains and strengthening Yemen’s embattled government.

According to the ICRC, more than 3 million Yemenis have been forced to flee their homes since the conflict began, while more than 20 million are in need of humanitarian assistance.