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UN Calls for Aid Access, Humanitarian Pause in Conflict-Hit Yemen

© Sputnik / StringerYemeni capital, Sana'a
Yemeni capital, Sana'a - Sputnik International
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UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Johannes Van Der Klaauw urged for a humanitarian pause in Yemen's military conflict.

Houthi militants ride in a patrol truck in Sanaa May 2, 2015 - Sputnik International
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UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — The United Nations, "gravely concerned" over the intensified fighting in Yemen, called on all parties to the conflict to ensure aid supplies and a humanitarian pause, the United Nations said in a statement Thursday.

Yemen is currently enduring violent clashes between several armed groups, including the Houthi rebels, and forces loyal to the president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, who was forced to flee the country amid hostilities.

“I repeat my call for a humanitarian pause, to be observed by all parties, to allow civilians to escape conflict areas and access basic services, and to enable humanitarian agencies to provide life-saving assistance,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Johannes Van Der Klaauw said.

Klaauw stressed that violence towards civilians and aid workers, and attacks on hospitals and other civilian infrastructure, must stop immediately and urged the parties to the conflict to protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, right, leave after a joint news conference at Riyadh Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Thursday, May 7, 2015 - Sputnik International
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The humanitarian situation worsened in Yemen amid the air campaign launched by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in late March at the request of Hadi.

Airstrikes continued into May, despite Riyadh's announcement last month that the military phase of its operation was over and that the coalition would focus on counterterrorism and humanitarian efforts.

On Monday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir pledged to uphold a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into the country.

According to UN estimates, over 1,200 people have been killed, while 300,000 have fled their homes in Yemen in the past six weeks, amid ongoing ground fighting, aerial bombardments and sniper attacks on civilians.

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