Airstrikes Hit Northern Yemen Clinic

An infant in an incubator at Al-Sabeen Hospital in Sana’a. Intensive fighting and bombing has caused frequent power cuts, shortage of medicines and fuel paralyzing hospitals across Yemen. An infant in an incubator at Al-Sabeen Hospital in Sana’a. Intensive fighting and bombing has caused frequent power cuts, shortage of medicines and fuel paralyzing hospitals across Yemen. ©UNICEF/Magd Farid

10 January 2016
A deadly airstrike attack hit a Médecins Sans Frontières clinic in northern Yemen.

On the morning of the 10th of January, a series of airstrikes targeted the Razeh district of northern Yemen. The attack struck the Shiara hospital, a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical facility.  The explosion caused the collapse of the hospital building that injured 7 and killed 6 others. Although MSF did not confirm the source of the attack, Saudi Arabia’s increase in coalition airstrikes is suspected.

The United Nations (UN) condemned the attack, offered condolences to the victims, and expressed concern over the intensification of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on civilians. Within the past three months, 3 MSF hospitals were destroyed as a result of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes. The humanitarian organization provides GPS coordinates of medical sites to warring parties involved. MSF’s Director of Operations (in the area) explains that those with access to airstrike technology were aware the Shiara hospital was operating at the time of the attack.

Yemen has endured Saudi-led coalition airstrikes since March 2015.  Saudi Arabia launched the attacks to target Houthi and Houthi-affiliated forces that threatened the stability of  its government. However, civilians have suffered significantly as a result of the war. The UN reports 8,119 civilian casualties—5,324 injured and 2,795 killed—were recorded from March 26 to December 31, 2015.

To read more, visit:
http://www.msf.org/article/msf-supported-hospital-bombed-yemen-death-toll-rises-six
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/01/yemen-hospital-strike/423438/
http://timesofoman.com/article/75234/World/GCC/Four-killed-as-'projectile'-hits-Medecins-Sans-Frontieres-clinic-in-Yemen
https://www.rt.com/news/328425-yemen-msf-clinic-attack/
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52972#.VrHRz5MrIkg
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52938#.VrHb0pMrIkg
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ym.html

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