SAUDI-LED WARPLANES CARRY OUT FRESH STRIKES IN YEMEN

Sana’a, 20 Jumadil Akhir 1436/9 April 2015 (MINA) – Saudi-led warplanes have carried out fresh raids in Yemen amid UN warnings of a looming humanitarian crisis in the country.

Early on Thursday, Saudi-led fighter jets carried out raids in Yemen’s capital city Sana’a and Taizz, Shabwah and Sa’ada provinces.

The raids in Taizz targeted what is said to be a presidential guard headquarters in the al-Jand area. The headquarters of the 21st brigade was also bombed in Shabwah, which led to an explosion and fire in the base armory, Press Tv quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Earlier, the commander of the base had announc.ed his allegiance to the Ansarullah movement and refrained from giving arms to al-Qaeda militants..

Meanwhile, the UN has warned the international community to prepare for a massive displacement and humanitarian crisis in Yemen as civilians flee the Saudi-led bombings and clashes.

“Unless rapidly resolved, the crisis could lead to mass displacement in the wake of heavy and ongoing fighting and airstrikes,” said UN expert on the human rights of internally displaced persons Chaloka Beyani in a news release on Wednesday.

“The international community must prepare for a worst case scenario. While efforts to reach a diplomatic solution are essential, the picture on the ground is extremely bleak and humanitarian responses must be stepped up as a matter of urgency,” he added.

The UN expert also slammed a Saudi-led airstrike that hit a refugee camp, in northern Yemen on March 30, describing it as “a grave violation against some of the most vulnerable of the vulnerable civilians.”

Saudi Arabia’s military aggression against Yemen started on March 26, without a UN mandate, in a bid to restore power to the former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Wednesday that over 640 people have died and 2,200 wounded in Yemen since March 19.

The UN says at least 74 children have been killed since the beginning of the Saudi-led strikes. The real figure is thought to be much higher. The turmoil has forced over 100,000 people from their homes. (T/P002/P3).

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)