Russia and the Red Cross appealed Saturday for a military pause in Yemen to allow urgent deliveries of humanitarian aid and evacuation of civilians after 10 days of Saudi-led airstrikes and fighting in which hundreds of people have died.
Russia distributed a draft resolution at the United Nations that presses for suspensions of the airstrikes to allow evacuation of foreign civilians and diplomats and that demands rapid and unhindered humanitarian access.
The International Committee of the Red Cross called for an immediate pause in hostilities to deliver lifesaving medical aid, saying that three of its shipments remained blocked.
The United Nations says more than 500 people have been killed in the past two weeks in Yemen, with nearly 1,700 wounded. Residents of Aden say parts of the southern port city have been without water or electricity for two days.
There is no sign of a halt in the fighting.
Aden residents said ships from the Saudi-led coalition bombarded Houthi forces who have taken over districts close to the center of the city despite Saudi Arabia’s military campaign in support of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, the forces’ foe.
Hadi loyalists managed to push the Houthis and their allies from Aden’s central Crater district Friday, a rare victory after more than a week of gains by the Shiite Houthis, who are backed by soldiers loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Planes from the Saudi-led coalition parachuted weapons into Aden for a second day to bolster fighters loyal to Hadi, who fled Yemen 10 days ago and watched from Saudi Arabia as the Houthis advanced on his supporters’ last major foothold.
A military spokesman for the Saudi coalition said it was providing substantial logistical support for Hadi’s fighters. He declined to confirm or deny reports that Saudi special forces were operating in Aden.
But a fighter in Aden, Khaled Ahmed Saif, appealed on local television for the coalition to send ground troops as soon as possible, saying that the city was being subjected to a “genocidal war” by the Houthis.
Residents said that life was becoming unbearable. “How long can people live without water or electricity?” said Mohammad Fara’a. Another Crater resident, Hassan Abdallah, said people were using a long-unused well at a mosque to get water.
Coalition spokesman Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asseri, who was asked about the calls for a humanitarian pause, said only that the military was ready for any instructions from its political leadership.
SuperFan Badge
SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.
|
Culture Connoisseur Badge
Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.
|
Fact Checker Badge
Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to .
|
Washingtologist Badge
Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.
|
Post Writer Badge
This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.
Post Forum Badge
Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.
|
Weather Watcher Badge
Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.
|
World Watcher Badge
World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.
|
Post Contributor Badge
This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.
|
Post Recommended
Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.
You must be logged in to report a comment.
You must be logged in to recommend a comment.
Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in , as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.
All comments are posted in the tab.
To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.