What’s happening in Yemen today
4.10.2015 edition
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 5:31 p.m. (12:31 a.m. GMT)
UN: Yemen is “getting worse by the hour”
UN Yemen Representative Johannes van der Klaauw spoke again to the press today:
“Ordinary Yemeni families are struggling to access health care, water, food and fuel –commodities that are basic requirements for their survival.”
Humanitarian organizations update their numbers
At the same UN press conference, humanitarian organizations updated their tallies:
World Health Organization: At least 648 people have been killed and 2,191 injured since fighting began.
UN Refugee Agency: Currently preparing to receive up to 30,000 refugees in Djibouti in the next six months and up to 100,000 people in Somaliland and Puntland, Somalia. Within Yemen, UNHCR has worked with 250,000 refugees.
World Food Programme: The program and partners distributed food assistance last week to nearly 30,000.
A tense exchange on getting U.S citizens out of Yemen
Almost every day lately at the U.S. State Department daily press briefing, a reporter asks a question about the department’s status on evacuating citizens.
The frustration has been mounting and yesterday a lawsuit was filed against the U.S. government on behalf of 41 citizens in Yemen.
Today, Jeff Rathke, acting deputy spokesperson, was pressed a bit harder than usual.
Rathke declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation.
City reports
Note: Citizen reports of airstrikes and their damage have been tough for us to confirm. Use your best judgement.
Sana’a
Aden and Shabwa
Brig. Gen Ahmed Asiri said at a press briefing Houthi activity in Aden has died down in comparison with Shabwa.
Despite that report, the UNOCHA reported that they’ve heard of six ambulances stolen, four of which were then used in the conflict.
Four health workers — two ambulance drivers and two volunteers — were killed in these incidents.
Asiri also said food and aid were dropped into both Aden and Shabwa today.
Mukalla
Saeed Al-Batati left Mukalla last week and wrote about watching Al Qaeda fighters storm the city in The New York Times.
Update 9:27 a.m. PT (4:27 p.m. GMT)
Medical supplies airlifted into Sana’a
The first two cargo planes by the ICRC and UNICEF, carrying over 30 tons of medical supplies in total, landed in Sana’a today.
In a UNHCR video, Yemen Representative Johannes Van Der Klaauw explained the complexities of obtaining permissions and guarantees from all sides to allow clearing of air space and safe boat docking for aid staff and supplies. He also warned about a very serious flow of refugees from Yemen, saying it could be very difficult to help them unless a much needed regional coordination is reached.
Health care provision severely obstructed by conflict
Medics described the harrowing conditions complicating their work in Aden, where hospitals were recently resupplied by the MSF and ICRC, and in Ad Dhale:
“I have not left the hospital since 19 March when the clashes started. The road is too dangerous for me to use, plus there is no other pharmacist at the hospital.”
Pakistan resolves to stay neutral in Yemen
The Pakistani parliament approved a draft resolution stating Pakistan should “maintain neutrality in the conflict so as to be able to play a proactive diplomatic role to end the crisis”, while at the same time expressing “unequivocal support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” Pakistani citizens have been protesting against involvement, saying “this is not our war.”
Sana’a night turns into day
Spectacular explosions from airstrikes that reportedly targeted a weapons depot near the Al-Dailami airbase turned night into day in Sana’a yesterday. Photos from the explosions were shared by Yemenis on Twitter and Facebook. Such footage is often sourced in closed networks, like WhatsApp, making it difficult to verify its provenance.
The latest on evacuations by IOM, Pakistan and Egypt
In its latest report, the International Organization for Migration said it received requests to support the humanitarian evacuation of over 13,000 nationals from 38 governments, and is assisting over 4,260 evacuees in Djibouti. IOM also said that 600 migrants in a Sana’a holding facility are facing a lack of basic services.
Pakistan announced that it had evacuated 1,019 people, including 30 foreign nationals from Yemen, through three special flights, three naval evacuations and a land rescue mission. Egypt also announced that 1,200 have been evacuated, of up to 7,000 Egyptian expats working and living in Yemen.
“To the U.S. government: Shame on you”
Kim Bui interviewed Mokhtar Alkhanshali, a 26-year-old Yemeni-American from San Francisco, whose adventurous evacuation from Mocha with suitcases full of coffee samples he hopes to promote abroad made headlines, in light of the U.S. government’s reticence to evacuate Americans stranded in Yemen.
CPJ calls for immediate release of Norwegian journalist
The Committee to Protect Journalists launched an appeal for the immediate release of Norwegian freelance photojournalist Raymond Lidal, whose arrest by the Houthis on March 28 for photographing airstrikes in Sana’a was reported yesterday.
“It was Yemen that inspired him to become a journalist. He did it for the stories he got to hear that touched him so much. He wanted to tell them to the people in Norway, who could not even place Yemen on the map.”
Lidal’s friends and colleagues have been mobilising for his release:
