Intense fighting in Yemen has brought “disturbing reports of civilian casualties,” the International Committee of the Red Cross said Tuesday after nearly a week of Saudi-led airstrikes against rebels in the Middle Eastern country.
The ICRC said levels of fighting were especially high in and near the southern port city of Aden. The organization said it was focused on getting medical supplies into Yemen and helping to ensure hospitals stayed open.
“Every effort must be made to protect civilian life and property from attacks,” the ICRC said.
The Red Cross didn’t specify whether the violence involved airstrikes. A Saudi-led coalition of nine countries started airstrikes last week against Shiite Houthi rebels, who had captured key parts of Yemen and ousted that country’s President.
The Houthis, who gradually took control of the capital, Sanaa, from September to January, advanced with military allies toward Aden earlier this month, sparking battles between them and military forces loyal to Yemeni President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi.
