Humanitarian situation in Yemen ‘catastrophic’

The humanitarian situation in Yemen has become catastrophic, relief officials said yesterday as Saudi-led aircraft pounded Iran-allied Houthi militiamen and rebel army units for a second day, dashing hopes for a pause in fighting to let aid in.

Residents said warplanes flew between 15 and 20 sorties against groups of Houthi fighters and arms depots in the al-Dhalea provincial capital Dhalea and the nearby city of Qa’ataba, setting off a chain of explosions.

Fighting intensified on Sunday after a lull following an announcement by Saudi Arabia last week that it was ending its nearly five-week-old bombing campaign except in places where the Houthis were advancing, to allow access for food and medicine.

A coalition of Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia, rattled by what they saw as expanding Iranian influence in the region, is trying to stop Houthi fighters and loyalists of former president Ali Abdullah Salah taking control of Yemen. The air campaign has had little success, and vital aid was reported to be being held up by both sides. – (Reuters)