Saudi Warplanes Pound Sanaa, Killing at Least Eight Civilians

Strikes on Military Depots Set Off Explosions Near Residential Areas

by Jason Ditz, 

Adding to the civilian toll of the 2+ month long Saudi Arabian-led war on Yemen, coalition warplanes today attacked the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, blowing up a military arms depot and setting off explosions near a residential area, killing at least eight civilians and badly wounding 20 others.

Attacks against Sanaa have centered on military sites, but in the ancient site many such sites are on hilltops surrounded by civilian residences, and have caused enormous collateral damage, worsened by months of naval blockade keeping medical supplies in extremely short supply.

The Saudis declared war against Yemen back in March, vowing to reinstall former President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi, who resigned in January after his troops lost the capital city to the Shi’ite Houthis. Since then, the Saudis have pounded Houthi forces, and demanded an unconditional surrender to return Hadi to power.

The war has killed large numbers of people, both combatants and civilians, but has done little to change the situation inside Yemen, with Hadi’s remnant factions controlling less territory than ever, and the Houthis remaining de facto rulers of most of the major cities.

http://news.antiwar.com/2015/06/01/saudi-warplanes-pound-sanaa-killing-at-least-eight-civilians/