Humanitarian Situation 'Appallingly Bad' in Yemen Amid Airstrikes

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — The rapidly rising number of civilian casualties and human rights' abuses in Yemen, resulting from the continued airstrikes by the Saudi-led international coalition, has created an "appallingly bad" humanitarian situation in the conflict-torn country, the UN said on Tuesday.

Yemen is currently suffering military skirmishes between Houthi militants, the country's main opposition movement in control of large areas of the country, and troops loyal to president-in-exile Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. In late March, a Saudi-led coalition started bombing Houthi positions in Yemen at Hadi's request.

"Most of the country is now suffering from the effects of armed conflict, with the situation particularly devastating in Sanaa, Aden, Dhale, Sada, […]. The humanitarian situation is appallingly bad, compounded by wanton violence, lawlessness and serious human rights violations," United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Zeid Raad Al Hussein said.

According to Zeid, at least 52 public buildings have been either partially or completely destroyed over the past three weeks by the international coalition's airstrikes.

Zeid added that at least 364 civilians, apart from hundreds of fighters, have lost their lives since March 26, including at least 84 children and 25 women, with another 681 civilians being injured. Zeid also called on all sides to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and investigate any such violations.