Considering the alarming death toll, Russia called an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Saturday, and proposed a resolution asking for suspension of the air strikes.
The Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen includes the five Gulf Cooperation Council members along with Egypt. Others include Sudan, Jordan and Morocco.
The United States had provided logistics and intelligence for the Saudi-led intervention inside Yemen.
Russia’s draft resolution asked the United Nations to suspend the air strikes and allow evacuation of civilians and diplomats, and unhindered humanitarian access.
According to BBC, “The Red Cross has called for a 24-hour ceasefire to bring in desperately needed medical supplies.”
Reportedly Yemen is overwhelmed by the casualties and the civil war is making it impossible for aid workers to move around.
Yemen has been embroiled in a Shia-Sunni power dispute with Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies carrying out military operations against Shia Houthi rebels since March 26.
According to Al Jazeera, the Houthis want a greater share of power in the federal government, and are demanding a total autonomy of North Yemen.
Saudi Arabia and its allies want to legitimatize the government of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, and restore the draft constitution agreed at the National Dialogue Conference in 2014. The Shia Houthis who are now leading the rebellion were part of the conference.
Reportedly, Saudi warplanes have been targeting Shiite Houthis and allied soldiers loyal to former President Saleh, who in recent months have taken over vast territories in Yemen.
The Express Tribune reported:
“At least 185 dead and 1,282 wounded have been counted in hospitals in Aden alone since March 26, according to the city’s health department director, Al-Kheder Lassouar. The toll does not include casualties among the rebels and their allies, who do not take their people to public hospitals, or victims of air raids.”
The Economic Times quoted the United Nations saying:
“More than 500 people have been killed in the past two weeks in Yemen and nearly 1,700 wounded. Residents in Aden say parts of the southern port city have been without water or electricity for two days.”
The conflict in Yemen has reportedly turned into another Shia-Sunni war zone involving Saudi Arabia and its Shia rival, Iran. The conflict is part of a wider power struggle seen in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.
Iran denies Saudi accusations that that it is arming the Houthis, who emerged as the Yemen’s most powerful group when they took over the capital Sanaa six months ago along with supporters of former president Abdullah Saleh.
BBC reported:
“If Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states get drawn in one side, and Iran on another, the conflict risks getting exponentially worse.”
