Yemen: UN Voices Deep Concerns over New Military Escalation in Al Hudaydah

On Thursday, the United Nations (UN) announced its deep concern about a new round of military escalation will hit the southern areas of Al Hudaydah Governorate in Yemen following an uptick in clashes since mid-January, including shelling of residential areas, putting thousands of civilians at risk.

In a statement, the UN said that there have already been civilian casualties, that houses and farms in Hays and Ad Durayhimi have been damaged and over a hundred families – at least 700 people – have been displaced.

On his part, Auke Lootsma, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen said, "Indiscriminate attacks on residential areas are a breach of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately.

He noted that the parties must remember that they have a duty to take all necessary measures to protect civilians at all times and allow humanitarians to respond to the injured and displaced.

"Across Al Hudaydah, up to eight civilian casualties were reported in the week of 20 January, and scores of houses and farms were damaged. Most casualties were women and children," he stated.

Initial information indicated that about 120 families were displaced in Ad Durayhimi over the past week, verification of numbers is ongoing.

Notably, field reports signaled that clashes and shelling have continued in southern districts of Al Hudaydah over recent days, including in Ad Durayhimi and At Tuyahat, with little or no regard for civilians or their livelihoods.

The number of civilian casualties in Al Hudaydah Governorate is an ongoing cause of concern. In the last three months of 2020, 153 civilian casualties were reported in Al Hudaydah, the highest number reported in any governorate across the country, with continued clashes close to residential areas.

Yemen remains the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Nearly 80 per cent of the population – over 24 million people – require some form of humanitarian assistance and protection. Only 56 per cent of the US$3.38 billion needed for the humanitarian response in 2020 has been received.