Local Editor

The human rights watchdog, Amnesty International [AI], called on Tuesday for a UN-commissioned investigation into alleged war crimes committed in Yemen since March. 

A Saudi-led coalition backed by the United States has been carrying out a military aggression on Yemen by launching airstrikes against the country since March 26. The airstrikes have not been authorized by the UN.

In a report on Tuesday, Amnesty said that "unlawful attacks" in areas in Yemen which "may amount to war crimes" have been carried out by the Saudi regime.

The watchdog also criticized "unlawful coalition airstrikes in densely populated residential neighborhoods".

Senior crisis response adviser at Amnesty, Donatella Rovera, accused the Saudi-led coalition forces of having "blatantly failed to take necessary precautions to minimise civilian casualties".

"Perpetrators of the callous attacks against civilians in Yemen need to know that they will pay the price and will be held responsible for war crimes," Rovera said.

"If the international community fails to investigate and hold violators to account then such attacks and the rampant killing and injuring of civilians is only likely to continue", she further said. 

She also highlighted the "acute" humanitarian crisis in southern Yemen with essential services cut off, high food prices, damaged infrastructure and limited health care.