Saudi-led attacks on civilians threaten fragile Yemen truce
Escalation seems to be looming in Yemen in the wake of numerous artillery shellings of a local market, despite a supposed truce between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition.
SANAA, Yemen — Dozens of civilians have been killed or injured in recent attacks on al-Raqw market in Yemen’s Saada province, with most victims being African migrants who had fled poverty in their own countries.
The latest attack occurred Dec. 24 when artillery shelling hit the market in Munabbeh district, killing at least 17 civilians and wounding 12, most of whom were Ethiopians, UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen Lise Grande said in a statement.
"Every attack of this kind is a gross violation," Grande said, without blaming any side. She added that "28 civilians were killed or injured in an attack on Nov. 20, and 32 were killed or injured on Nov. 27, bringing the total number of reported civilian casualties at al-Raqw market to 89 since Nov. 20."
Yemen's civil war began in 2015 between Sunni leaders, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and Shiite Houthi rebels supported by Iran.
