The paper said that Saudi Arabia is the most responsible for the current humanitarian catastrophe, having inflamed the conflict through their intervention.
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The joint cell was established around the start of coalition operations in March past year, McConnaughey said.
Yemen’s war pits troops and militiamen loyal to the government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, against the Shiite rebels and Saleh loyalists.
“It has enabled the coalition in many ways, including selling arms to the Saudis to mollify them after the nuclear deal with Iran”, editors wrote.
He further said: “In our discussions with the Saudi-led coalition, we have pressed the need to minimize civilian casualties”.
Yet allegations of strikes on civilian facilities have continued.
“MSF is neither satisfied nor reassured by the SLC’s [Saudi-led coalition] statement that this attack was a mistake”.
“The decision to evacuate the staff from a project is never taken lightly but in the absence of credible assurances that parties will respect the protected status of medical facilities there may be no other option”, they added.
Human Rights Watch says they have evidence of US-made cluster munitions deployed by the coalition in Yemen.
McConnaughey said the United States cooperation with Saudi Arabia mostly involves “imagery that allows them to better assess the situation on the ground, and then advice and assistance”. “At no point did USA military personnel provide direct or implicit approval of target selection or prosecution”.
The rebels have retaliated with cross-border attacks. When seven perished on the edge city of Najran on Tuesday Saudi Arabia suffered its most significant civilian losses of the battle.
“Civilians, including children, are paying the heaviest price in the ongoing conflict, as civilian infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, continue to be hit”, said a statement issued by his spokesperson, citing Mr. Ban’s ongoing concern at the escalation of violence in the country since the Yemeni talks ended on 6 August. Earlier, 11 were reported killed.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting rebels in Yemen said Friday it wanted urgent talks with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) over the charity’s withdrawal of staff from six hospitals in the war-torn country.
Monday’s bombing of Abs hospital drew global condemnation, prompting the coalition to announce an independent investigation into the attack.
McConnaughey said United States cooperation with Saudi Arabia mostly involves “imagery that allows them to better assess the situation on the ground, and then advice and assistance”.
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A source closely following the conflict, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of his position, said the Saudis have been “working very hard” towards a lasting peace and political transition in Yemen.
