Iran calls for UN action as Saudi airstrikes resume against Houthis in Yemen

Iran calls for UN action as Saudi airstrikes resume against Houthis in Yemen
By Alexander Aucott
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button

In Yemen air strikes by Saudi-led forces have resumed against Houthi rebel positions in the southern city of Aden after a five-day humanitarian truce

ADVERTISEMENT

In Yemen air strikes by Saudi-led forces have resumed against Houthi rebel positions in the southern city of Aden after a five-day humanitarian truce expired.

This comes as Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on the UN to take a more active role, including establishing a presence on the ground to ensure that humanitarian aid could be distributed.

“The targets in most areas have been civilian areas and it is regrettable that that has continued,” he said.

“It is also regrettable that humanitarian assistance has failed to reach the people of Yemen who are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.”

Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Muslim allies have been fighting the Houthis and units loyal to former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh for more than six weeks.

They say the rebels are backed by Shi’ite Muslim power Iran, an allegation Tehran denies.

A five-day truce began on Tuesday night to allow humanitarian aid into Yemen.

Although the airstrikes were halted many people across the south of the country reported that heavy fighting continued throughout.

Despite Saudi efforts the Houthis have made significant gains.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Yemen's Houthis target Singapore-flagged ship in Gulf of Aden

US and UK strike Houthi targets in Yemen after shipping hit in Red Sea

Crew extinguish fire on tanker hit by Houthi missile off Yemen