Over Half of Yemeni Governorates Now Affected by Military Conflict - UN

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – Military conflict is now occurring in 15 of Yemen's 22 governorates, UN Yemen Humanitarian Coordinator Johannes Van Der Klaauw said Friday.

"Conflict is now affecting 15 out of the 22 governorates in the country. Millions of people are at risk of physical injury or death due to ongoing fighting on the ground and airstrikes, but also because of the quick unraveling of anything there was left of basic services including health care, safe water and availability of food."

According to the coordinator, many areas in the country are experiencing power cuts and shortages of water and fuel. The civilian infrastructure is damaged and disrupted by the fighting, Van Der Klaauw said.

Calling on all responsible parties to allow an immediate humanitarian pause in the conflict, Van Der Klaauw said:

"Three Yemeni aid workers of the Yemeni Red Crescent have recently been killed in crossfire in Aden while trying to save the lives of others. The current impact of the fighting on civilians, including aid workers, is simply unacceptable."

On Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen to facilitate the delivery of aid to the country. The Saudi Arabia-led coalition on Sunday granted the ICRC permission to deliver aid to Yemen. The Red Cross, as well as UNICEF, delivered aid Friday.

Yemen is currently in a civil war between Houthi militants and forces loyal to President-in-exile Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. In late March, a Saudi-led international coalition launched airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen upon Hadi's request.