Saudi-led coalition pounds Yemen on eve of proposed truce

Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition pounded weapons depots on the edge of Yemen’s capital Monday, one day before a humanitarian cease-fire is due to start and a U.N. envoy arrives on his first visit to try to end the war. The latest airstrikes followed the release by the Shiite rebels of video and photos of the purported wreck of a Moroccan F-16 that they claim to have shot down over the northern province of Saada near the Saudi border. Human Rights Watch said the blockade of Yemen is preventing fuel from reaching the Yemeni people who need it.

The indiscriminat bombing of populated areas, with or without prior warning, is in contravention of international humanitarian law.

Johannes Van Der Klaauw, U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Yemen

Saudi Arabia and its coalition of Arab countries began the airstrikes to break the advance of the Houthis and Saleh’s forces, who overran the capital of Sanaa and much of northern Yemen late last year and have been on the offensive in the south. The Saudis and their allies are seeking the restoration of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who fled the country in March in the face of the Houthis’ advance.

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