'Deadliest day': reports of 80 killed in Saudi-led strikes across Yemen

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By Sarah Taylor  with United Nations, Oxfam, Reuters
'Deadliest day': reports of 80 killed in Saudi-led strikes across Yemen

Black smoke was seen billowing into the air in the Yemeni capital Sana’a on Wednesday (May 27), following what could be the deadliest day of bombings in more than two months of war in the country.

At least 80 people are said to have been killed in Saudi-led air strikes over the city and the border towns of Hodeida and Bakil al Mir.

Residents of Houthi rebel-controlled Sana’a reported attacks on military camps loyal to the anti-government group.

In Hodeida – Yemen’s largest military port – a naval base is said to have been badly hit. The area is also aligned with the Iranian-allied Houthi militia.

Yemen is facing severe shortages. Still loyal to exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, the southern city of Aden is one of the few places to have received humanitarian aid.

According to Oxfam, the country is on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe.

As the combat worsens, a Yemeni spokesperson announced UN-sponsored peace talks set to be held in Geneva on Thursday (May 28) have been postponed.