Saudi-led warplanes carry out fresh strikes in Yemen

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

The raids in Taizz reportedly targeted the headquarters of a presidential guard loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh 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. The commander of the base had earlier announced his allegiance to the Ansarullah movement and refrained from giving arms to al-Qaeda terrorists.

Meanwhile, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons has warned the international community to prepare for a massive displacement and humanitarian crisis in Yemen as civilians flee the Saudi bombings and clashes.

“Unless rapidly resolved, the crisis could lead to mass displacement in the wake of heavy and ongoing fighting and airstrikes,” Chaloka Beyani said 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, which 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 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.