Saudi Warplanes bombed in Yemen 8 civilians dead

Saudi warplanes have bombed a residential neighborhood in Yemen’s northwestern province of Amran, killing at least eight civilians and leaving several others injured.

The new airstrike on Thursday took place in the Souq Najar district, some 53 kilometers (33 miles) northwest of the capital Sana’a, Arabic-language al-Masirah television network reported.

Yemeni army forces and fighters from allied Popular Committees targeted the Kofel military camp in the central province of Ma’rib, with reports of casualties among militiamen loyal to resigned president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

Saudi Arabia has stepped up its attacks, especially against Sana’a, since the Yemenis unveiled a council to administer the country.

On Wednesday, Saudi warplanes struck the Razih district in Yemen’s northwestern province of Sa’ada, leaving a child dead and six others injured.

Saudi military aircraft also carried out three airstrikes against the Baqim district, and bombarded a school in the Sahar district of the same Yemeni province. There were no reports about possible casualties and the extent of damage.

Additionally, four civilians sustained injuries on Wednesday when Saudi warplanes pounded the Fisheries Building in the southern Yemeni port city of Mokha, situated 346 kilometers (214 miles) south of Sana’a.

Yemen has been under airstrikes by Saudi Arabia since March 26, 2015. The Saudi war was launched in a bid to undermine the Houthi Ansarullah movement and restore power to Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, who has resigned as Yemen’s president but seeks to forcefully return to power.

Ansarullah fighters took over state matters after Hadi’s resignation and his escape from the capital.

The UN puts the death toll from the 18-month conflict in Yemen at about 10,000. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Jamie McGoldrick said last month the toll could rise even further as some areas had no medical facilities, and that people were often buried without any official record being made.