A further round of Saudi-led airstrikes has pounded military sites in Yemen. It was the second day of attacks against Houthi militia and forces
ADVERTISEMENTA further round of Saudi-led airstrikes has pounded military sites in Yemen.
It was the second day of attacks against Houthi militia and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh after a five-day ceasefire came to an end.
The UN and rights groups had appealed for it to be extended – to allow badly needed supplies into the country.
UN chief Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is now calling for talks.
“I urge the parties to address all the pending issues through a political dialogue,” he said.
“I reaffirm my willingness to convene a political dialogue in Geneva as soon as possible, with the participation of all the parties.”
But Yemen’s exiled government, in Saudi Arabia, said there will be no peace talks with Houthi militia until they abide by a UN resolution which requires them to disarm.
“I think we are going at the end to sit with the Houthis but we are not going to sit with the Houthis without this implementation of the 2216 and others,” said Khaled Bahah, Yemen’s Vice President.
Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Muslim allies are aiming to restore exiled President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power.
Almost 1,850 people have been killed and nearly 7,400 injured in Yemen’s conflict, according to the UN.