SANAA: Sixty-eight Yemeni civilians were killed in two separate air raids
by the Saudi-led Arab coalition in one day, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator
in
Yemen Jamie McGoldrick said on Thursday.
The first air strike on Tuesday hit a "crowded popular market" in Taez
province, killing 54 civilians including eight children, and wounding 32
others, he said in a statement.
The second raid was in the Red Sea province of Hodeida and killed 14 people
from the same family, the statement said.
"I remain deeply disturbed by mounting civilian casualties caused by
escalated and indiscriminate attacks throughout
Yemen," McGoldrick said.
In addition to the casualties from Tuesday´s two air raids, another 41
civilians were killed and 43 wounded over the previous 10 days of fighting,
he said.
The Arab coalition intensified its air campaign targeting the Huthi rebels
after December 19 when Saudi air defences intercepted a ballistic missile
the insurgents fired at the Saudi capital Riyadh.
"These incidents prove the complete disregard for human life that all
parties, including the Saudi-led coalition, continue to show in this absurd
war that has only resulted in the destruction of the country and the
incommensurate suffering of its people," McGoldrick said on Thursday.
He said civilians "are being punished as part of a futile military campaign
by both sides".
"I remind all parties to the conflict, including the Saudi-led coalition,
of their obligations under International Humanitarian Law to spare
civilians and civilian infrastructure and to always distinguish between
civilian and military objects," he said.
The UN official said the conflict in
Yemen has no military solution and
could be resolved only through negotiations.
The Arab coalition intervened in support of the internationally recognised
government in March 2015 after the Huthis took over the capital Sanaa and
much of
Yemen.
But despite the coalition's superior firepower, the rebels still control
the capital and much of the north.
More than 8,750 people have been killed since the coalition intervened,
according to the World Health Organization.