UN: At Least 646 ’Civilians’ Killed Since Start of Saudi Airstrikes against Yemen

 

Local Editor

 According to UN human rights monitors, at least 646 civilians have been killed more than 1,300 others injured since the beginning of the Saudi airstrikes against Yemen, as was said at UN headquarters in Switzerland on Tuesday.

At a press briefing at UN headquarters in the Swiss city of Geneva, spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR] mentioned figures of civilians that were killed in Yemen since the US-led Saudi aggression began on March 26.

Figures from 26 March up to 3 May from the field show that at least 646 civilians have been killed, including 50 women and 131 children, and more than 1,364 civilians have been injured, she said. 

’There has also been severe destruction of civilian infrastructure, including houses, in many districts’ of Yemen’, Shamdasani said. 

’We reiterate that all suspected violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law during the conflict should be investigated, and that the intentional targeting of civilians not taking direct part in the hostilities should be immediately stopped,’ she said.

The human rights spokesperson also drew particular attention to the plight of persons with disabilities in Yemen - some 3 million people ’who are facing serious protection concerns and increasing difficulties in meeting their basic needs.’

’Those who use wheelchairs have limited or no access to public or private transport facilities due to fuel shortages and high fuel prices across the country,’ she said. ’As a result, some people with disabilities and their families have been unable to flee to safe areas.’

’The recent events have led to the closure of 300 organizations that previously provided specialist services for people with disabilities,’ Shamdasani went on to say. ’Some people with disabilities require ongoing medical treatment which has been discontinued.’

Saudi Arabia launched its military aggression against Yemen on March 26 - without a United Nations mandate - in a bid to undermine Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement and to restore power to the country’s fugitive former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, who is a close ally of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has also been blocking aid to Yemen.

 

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