The United Nations humanitarian coordinator denounced the U.S.-backed Saudi airstrike campaign in Yemen as “absurd and futile” on Thursday, as 68 civilian deaths were reported following two attacks in one day, and urged the Saudi coalition to seek negotiations to end the conflict.
“I remain deeply disturbed by mounting civilian casualties caused by escalated and indiscriminate attacks throughout Yemen,” said Jamie McGoldrick in a statement. “As the conflict in which civilians have borne the brunt marks 1,000 days, I once again remind all parties that it has no military solution. There can only be a political solution.”
Fifty-four people were killed and 32 were wounded in an airstrike that hit a marketplace in Taez province on Tuesday, while 14 family members were killed in a bombing in Hodeidah province that same day.
The Saudis have received support from the U.S., the U.K., and France in the form of fuel and weapons as they’ve carried out attacks in Yemen since 2015, fighting against the Houthi rebels.
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