The UN’s humanitarian chief says he is “very alarmed” by a Houthi rebel advance on the Yemeni government’s last northern stronghold, saying an assault on the city of Marib could endanger millions of civilians.
Mark Lowcock, the UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, tweeted on Tuesday that an assault would endanger two million civilians and could cause hundreds of thousands to flee the city, which would have “unimaginable humanitarian consequences”.The UN’s humanitarian chief says he is “very alarmed” by a Houthi rebel advance on the Yemeni government’s last northern stronghold, saying an assault on the city of Marib could endanger millions of civilians.
The Iran-linked Houthi rebels linked have this month resumed an offensive to seize oil-rich Marib, some 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa.
The city’s loss would be a major blow for Yemen’s government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition, as well as for the civilian population and the hundreds of thousands of displaced people sheltering in camps in the region.
“Now is the time to de-escalate, not to add even more to the misery of the Yemeni people,” Lowcock said in his tweet.The Iran-linked Houthi rebels linked have this month resumed an offensive to seize oil-rich Marib, some 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa.
.Military officials from the Yemeni government told AFP news agency that the rebels had advanced towards the city on two fronts overnight after heavy fighting with government forces.
Dozens from both sides have been killed in the past 24 hours alone, they said. The total casualty toll from the battle for Marib is unknown but reports indicate it is now in the hundreds.Military officials from the Yemeni government told AFP news agency that the rebels had advanced towards the city on two fronts overnight after heavy fighting with government forces.
“The rebels have advanced north and west of the city after seizing al-Zor [in Sirwah district] up to the western sides of Marib dam, and tightened their grip on hills overlooking supply lines for several fronts,” one of the officials said.
The Saudi-led coalition, which intervened militarily in Yemen six year ago, has been pounding rebel positions.
The Houthi-run Al Masirah television on Tuesday reported a total of 13 air raids in Marib – 11 on locations in the district of Sirwah, and two in the district of Madghal.“The rebels have advanced north and west of the city after seizing al-Zor [in Sirwah district] up to the western sides of Marib dam, and tightened their grip on hills overlooking supply lines for several fronts,” one of the officials said.
The Saudi-led coalition, which intervened militarily in Yemen six year ago, has been pounding rebel positions.
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