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Yemen conflict: US boosts arms supplies for Saudi-led coalition | Yemen conflict: US boosts arms supplies for Saudi-led coalition |
(5 months later) | |
The US says it is speeding up weapons deliveries to a Saudi-led coalition bombing Houthi rebels who have taken up arms against the government in Yemen. | The US says it is speeding up weapons deliveries to a Saudi-led coalition bombing Houthi rebels who have taken up arms against the government in Yemen. |
The US is also boosting intelligence sharing with the coalition, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. | The US is also boosting intelligence sharing with the coalition, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. |
Aid agencies have warned of a looming humanitarian crisis in the Yemeni port of Aden, which has seen street battles between rebels and government allies. | Aid agencies have warned of a looming humanitarian crisis in the Yemeni port of Aden, which has seen street battles between rebels and government allies. |
Some 550 people are said to have died in the last fortnight of fighting. | Some 550 people are said to have died in the last fortnight of fighting. |
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 2,000 people have been injured over the same period. | According to the World Health Organization, nearly 2,000 people have been injured over the same period. |
The UN children's agency, Unicef, says at least 74 of the dead are children, and more than 100,000 people have been displaced. | The UN children's agency, Unicef, says at least 74 of the dead are children, and more than 100,000 people have been displaced. |
A spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross said the situation in Aden was "catastrophic to say the least". | A spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross said the situation in Aden was "catastrophic to say the least". |
"The war in Aden is on every street, in every corner," Marie Claire Feghali told the AFP news agency. "Many are unable to escape." | "The war in Aden is on every street, in every corner," Marie Claire Feghali told the AFP news agency. "Many are unable to escape." |
The Red Cross is one of several aid agencies trying to send more medical supplies and workers to Aden. | The Red Cross is one of several aid agencies trying to send more medical supplies and workers to Aden. |
The port has been largely cut off since the Houthi rebels and their allies advanced upon it in March, forcing President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi to flee to Saudi Arabia. | The port has been largely cut off since the Houthi rebels and their allies advanced upon it in March, forcing President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi to flee to Saudi Arabia. |
Fighting escalated in the city this week, with reports of overflowing hospitals, hijacked ambulances and bodies left in the streets. | Fighting escalated in the city this week, with reports of overflowing hospitals, hijacked ambulances and bodies left in the streets. |
On a visit to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Tuesday, Mr Blinken said the US had "expedited" the delivery of weapons to the Saudi-led coalition. | On a visit to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Tuesday, Mr Blinken said the US had "expedited" the delivery of weapons to the Saudi-led coalition. |
He said the move would support Saudi Arabia, which was "sending a strong message to the Houthis and their allies that they cannot overrun Yemen by force." | He said the move would support Saudi Arabia, which was "sending a strong message to the Houthis and their allies that they cannot overrun Yemen by force." |
He said the US had also boosted intelligence sharing with the coalition and set up a centre to coordinate with Saudi operations. | He said the US had also boosted intelligence sharing with the coalition and set up a centre to coordinate with Saudi operations. |
On Tuesday, aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition reportedly bombed a military base in central Yemen, near the city of Ibb. | On Tuesday, aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition reportedly bombed a military base in central Yemen, near the city of Ibb. |
The raid targeted forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who are fighting alongside the Houthis. The strike apparently took place near a school, and a rebel television station said three children were killed. | The raid targeted forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who are fighting alongside the Houthis. The strike apparently took place near a school, and a rebel television station said three children were killed. |
A Saudi official meanwhile denied reports from Aden that the city had been shelled by ships belonging to the coalition. | A Saudi official meanwhile denied reports from Aden that the city had been shelled by ships belonging to the coalition. |
Earlier, the head of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Aden, Robert Ghosen, told the BBC the port had become a "ghost city". | Earlier, the head of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Aden, Robert Ghosen, told the BBC the port had become a "ghost city". |
"We are seeing a lot of people arriving dead at the hospital or dying in the hospitals," he told the BBC's Today programme. "The hospitals don't have the right supplies and the right staff." | "We are seeing a lot of people arriving dead at the hospital or dying in the hospitals," he told the BBC's Today programme. "The hospitals don't have the right supplies and the right staff." |
Nizma Alozebi, a student from Aden, told the BBC that the violence had spread to residential areas and most shops. | Nizma Alozebi, a student from Aden, told the BBC that the violence had spread to residential areas and most shops. |
"People are afraid for their belongings and their safety. It's insanity," she said. | "People are afraid for their belongings and their safety. It's insanity," she said. |
President Hadi was forced to flee Yemen two weeks ago, as the rebels advanced southwards from the capital, Sanaa. | President Hadi was forced to flee Yemen two weeks ago, as the rebels advanced southwards from the capital, Sanaa. |
The Houthis have said their aim is to replace his government, which they accuse of being corrupt. | The Houthis have said their aim is to replace his government, which they accuse of being corrupt. |
Saudi Arabia says the Houthis have military backing from regional rival Iran, which denies the allegation. | Saudi Arabia says the Houthis have military backing from regional rival Iran, which denies the allegation. |
Yemen: who is fighting whom? | Yemen: who is fighting whom? |
The Houthis: Zaidi Shia-led rebels from the north, who seized control of Sanaa last year and have since been expanding their control | The Houthis: Zaidi Shia-led rebels from the north, who seized control of Sanaa last year and have since been expanding their control |
President Hadi: Fled to Saudi Arabia after rebel forces advanced on his stronghold in the southern city of Aden | President Hadi: Fled to Saudi Arabia after rebel forces advanced on his stronghold in the southern city of Aden |
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula: Seen by the US as the most dangerous offshoot of al-Qaeda, AQAP opposes both the Houthis and President Hadi. | Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula: Seen by the US as the most dangerous offshoot of al-Qaeda, AQAP opposes both the Houthis and President Hadi. |
Islamic State: A Yemeni affiliate of IS has recently emerged, which seeks to eclipse AQAP | Islamic State: A Yemeni affiliate of IS has recently emerged, which seeks to eclipse AQAP |
Failure 'not an option for Saudis' | Failure 'not an option for Saudis' |
Yemen crisis: An Iranian-Saudi battleground? | Yemen crisis: An Iranian-Saudi battleground? |
Meeting the Houthis - and their enemies | Meeting the Houthis - and their enemies |
The rise of Yemen's Houthi rebels | The rise of Yemen's Houthi rebels |
Are you in Yemen? Are you affected by the situation there? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you in Yemen? Are you affected by the situation there? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. | If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. |
Email your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, tweet them to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text 61124. If you are outside the UK, send them to the international number +44 7624 800 100. | Email your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, tweet them to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text 61124. If you are outside the UK, send them to the international number +44 7624 800 100. |
Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971 | Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971 |
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