“Airstrikes ended,” or have they?
What’s happening in Yemen
4.22.2015 & 4.23.2015 editions
By the Reported.ly Team
We are creating a daily rundown of events in Yemen as Saudi Arabian-led airstrikes against Houthis that began March 26 continue. The Houthi militia has been fighting the Yemeni government for nearly a decade, and in recent months has made enormous gains across the country, including capturing the capital, Sana’a.
For an explanation of what happened in the first few days of the military action, read our synopsis.
Update April 23, 1 p.m. ET (5 p.m. GMT)
Saudi ambassador: “We removed strategic threats”
At a press conference in Washington, D.C., the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. said Operation Decisive Storm succeeded in removing strategic threats to Saudi Arabia seized by the Houthis, such as ballistic missiles, heavy weapons and planes. He also expressed hope that this operation had opened the door to a political settlement.
In a photo post on Global Voices, Yemeni author Noon Arabia catalogued what “other facilities” were destroyed in nearly a month of airstrikes.
Houthis: Stop the airstrikes, then we can talk
Two days after the cessation of Operation Decisive Storm, coalition airstrikes continue to target Houthi forces, pressing their offensive in the South, in six cities. The Houthis responded to the Saudi announcement by suing for peace talks, “but only after a complete halt of attacks.”
Reports say Houthis continue to shell residential neighborhoods in Aden.
Update 12 a.m. ET (5 p.m. GMT)
“Airstrikes ended,” or have they?
After four weeks of airstrikes that brought Yemen to the brink of humanitarian catastrophe, Saudi Arabia announced the end of Operation Decisive Storm on Tuesday evening, saying it would continue with “Operation Restoring Hope”, aimed at restoring political dialogue. The announcement came after pressure by the U.S. to end the airstrikes, over concerns for mounting civilian deaths and “unclear Saudi objectives”.
However, coalition airstrikes in Taiz continued, southern militias vowed to continue fighting the Houthis, and the Houthis themselves reportedly vowed to continue fighting in the South. Ousted president Saleh, reported as seeking safe passage and disavowing the Houthis, welcomed the announcement and called for dialogue.
Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UK later clearly stated that a ceasefire is not in effect, clarifying that the airstrikes will continue, in a different role.
Iran appears to have had advance knowledge of developments. Iranian officials claimed that Tehran’s diplomatic efforts were crucial to ending the military operation in Yemen, and the country’s foreign minister appealed for humanitarian aid and dialogue.
Over 1,000 deaths
At least 944 people have been killed and 3,487 injured in the conflict so far, according to the World Health Organization, with numbers likely higher. The figures were revised on Wednesday, to indicate over 1,000 casualties. Aid organizations have been warning for weeks about the dire humanitarian conditions on the ground, exacerbated by the airstrikes and clashes.
Evacuations
Two 300-person capacity Russian passenger planes landed in Sana’a to evacuate Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Tajik and American citizens to the U.S. base in Djibouti, but were forced to leave some people behind.
Over 8,000 refugees have fled Yemen to Djibouti, said the International Organization for Migration, a day after announcing the suspension of its evacuation flights out of Sana’a.
