The Saudi-led coalition stationed in Yemen reported that it shot down drones launched by the Iran-backed Houthi movement. This launch of drones, which were intended to reach the city of Najran, was the first incident to occur since late March. The incident came right as a month-long ceasefire expired on 24 May. The ceasefire agreement came as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and was signed on 24 April. The coalition spokesperson stated that the drones were directed at civilian targets. There was no comment from the Houthi group.
The coalition, backed by Western nations and led by Saudi Arabia, intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to restore power back to Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, after it was taken by Houthi forces. The coalition intercepted drones and missiles fired by the Houthis in late March 2020 and retaliated with several air raids on Sanaa, which is still held by Houthi forces. Since then, there has been a lull in violence as the ceasefire agreement was upheld, except for fighting in the Al-Jawf and Marib provinces.
Fighting has raged on even as the international community has repeatedly called for peace amid the coronavirus crisis. Institutions such as the UN and Doctors Without Borders fear that Yemen’s war-torn healthcare system would not be able to properly combat the pandemic. As of 25 May, Yemen has reported 222 confirmed cases and 42 related deaths, but real data is hard to establish because of extremely limited testing capabilities. In a statement contradicting these numbers, Save the Children reported nearly 400 people in Aden died from coronavirus complications. Several hospitals in Aden had to shut down as medical staff refused to go to work because of a lack of personal protective equipment.
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Author: Vito Quaglia
