UN: Innocent Civilians Killed, Injured In ’Horrific Attack’ Of Saudi-Led Coalition

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Lise Grande, issued on Tuesday a statement on the Saudi-led coalition’s bombing of a popular market in Yemen’s northwestern Sa’adah Province, which left 40 civilians dead and wounded.

“This is a horrific attack. Scores of innocent civilians have been killed and injured,” said Grande. “We offer our most profound and sincere condolences to the families of people who have been killed and hurt.”

The statement read, “preliminary reports from local health authorities indicate that 14 people have died, including 4 children” in the attack on Al Thabet market in Qitabir district. “An additional 26 people, including 14 children, have been reportedly injured. Several of the wounded are in critical condition.”

The injured, including children, have been rushed to hospitals in Sa’adah and in Sana’a for treatment, it added. “Health partners are providing medical supplies to the facilities receiving the wounded, including trauma kits to treat up to100 casualties.”

“This is a terrible turn of events. For three months, the number of reported civilian casualties in Sa’adah has been falling,” said Grande. “This is a reversal of everything everyone has been working towards these last weeks and months.”

“Ending the fighting and the killing of civilians is the highest priority. Everything must be done to bring peace to Yemen,” she concluded.