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.