By Brittani Howell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
SANA’A, Yemen
Saudi Arabia has proposed a five-day truce beginning Tuesday, after an air missile attack over the weekend. The truce was contingent on the agreement of the Houthi rebels. Both parties will resume hostilities if the truce is violated.
On Friday, Saudi Arabia dropped pamphlets over Sadaa instructing civilians to evacuate. Saudi Arabia then classified Sadaa as a military zone. Many civilians were unable to leave in time largely due to fuel shortages and the lack of vehicles or communications devices. It is also alleged that Houthi rebels prevented civilians from leaving to use civilians as human shields. Over 130 airstrikes took place during a 24-hour period.
On Sunday, the Houthi rebels agreed to the truce. The home of the former President Ali Abdullah Saleh was bombed on the same day. Nevertheless, the Houthis insist on entering a dialogue with the Saudi coalition and urge that they will remain cooperative. The truce would allow food and medical supplies into Sadaa. The Houthis state that a Saudi naval blockade prevented ships that were carrying food from entering the port of Hodeida, including a ship from Tasnim.
According to the United Nations up to 1,400 people have been killed and 6,000 injured since March 19th. The majority of the victims have been civilians. Airstrikes have been conducted by the Saudi-led coalition since March 26th.
Saudi Arabia, backed by the United States, is attempting to restore the power of President Abd-Rabbu Mansor Hadi. President Hadi fled Sana’a in February after being forced out by the Houthi rebels. The Houthis goal is to remove al Qaeda militants in Yemen. The Houthis are opposed to President Hadi because of a belief that he is supporting al Qaeda militants.
The recent airstrikes targeted schools and hospitals amongst other Houthi headquarters. The schools and hospitals that were targeted were being used to store weapons. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that there were few safe places for hospitals, which resulted in the merger of departments to one location.
A U.N. humanitarian coordinator, Johannes Van Der Klaauw stated, “The indiscriminate bombing of populated areas, with or without prior warning, is in contravention of international humanitarian law.” MSF emergency coordinator Teresa Sancristóval noted, “Many people were not aware of the order of evacuation.”
For further information please see:
Associated Press – Yemen’s Shite Insurgents, Army Rebels Back 5-Day Cease-Fire – 10 May 2015
BBC – Yemen Houthi Rebels ‘Positive’ Over Saudi Truce Plan – 10 May 2015
Reuters – Houthis Accept Five-Day Truce in Yemen Proposed by Saudi Arabia – 10 May 2015
CNN – U.N. rep Accuses Saudi-led Coalition of Violation International Law – May 9 2015
