U.N., aid workers condemn air strike on civilians in Yemen

CAIRO — The United Nations and humanitarian workers on Sunday condemned an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition targeting Yemen’s Shiite rebels that reportedly killed at least 15 civilians near the port city of Hodeida.

Video footage released by the rebels, known as Houthis, showed a mangled minibus littered with groceries and a woman’s handbag, with rebel officials saying a day earlier that the airstrike in the Jebel Ras area had also wounded 20 others.

The Houthis said that five members of the same family were killed in the vehicle, adding that many women and children were among the casualties. Eyewitnesses who declined to be named for fear of their safety said that the attack appeared to target a rebel checkpoint in the area.

“The United Nations agencies working in Yemen unequivocally condemn the attack on civilians and extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” said Lise Grande, the U.N.’s Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen.

“Under international humanitarian law, parties to the conflict are obliged to respect the principles of precaution, proportionality and distinction,” said Grande. “Belligerents must do everything possible to protect civilians — not hurt, maim, injure or kill them,” she added.

The United Nations in Yemen says that since June, more than 170 people have been killed and at least 1,700 have been injured in Hodeida province.

The Norwegian Refugee Council also condemned the attack, calling such strikes on Yemeni civilians “unacceptable” acts that have taken on a chillingly regular frequency.