“Over the past few weeks, we have seen
an escalation in the conflict, growing
restrictions on humanitarian action
and a reduction in essential commercial
imports. These factors are compounding
the world’s worst humanitarian crisis at a
time when millions of Yemenis face acute
food insecurity and a possible resurgence of
cholera or watery diarrhea. More than 22
million people in Yemen need humanitarian
assistance or protection. Some 8.4 million
people are severely food insecure and at risk
of starvation. If conditions do not improve,
a further 10 million people will fall into this
category by the end of the year."
From a press briefing given on May 24, 2018,
by Mark Lowcock, the Uunited Nation’s
emergency relief coordinator.
This warning from the U.N. comes as the
Saudi and United Arab Emirates coalition
forces are preparing for an assault on the
key Yemeni port city of Hodeida. The city
is considered a lifeline for the war-ravaged
country. Hodeida is Yemen’s third largest
city, and about 90% of Yemen's food and
most of its medicine is imported through
its port. The port is also used for receiving
international shipment of humanitarian aid.
The U.N. and several human rights groups
are warning that up to 250,000 people could
die if the port city is attacked or besieged
and the humanitarian crisis in the country
will worsen drastically.
Who is responsible?
This horrendous war in Yemen was started
by the U.S.-backed Saudi-led coalition in
March 2015. Using the pretence of restoring
legitimacy and stability to the country, the
Saudi government has intervened militarily
in what was an internal conflict in Yemen.
The Saudi government efforts to reinstate
their deposed unpopular puppet, former
President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, failed
miserably. Their so-called effort to bring
back peace and stability in Yemen have
created what the U.N. refers to as “the worst
humanitarian crisis in the world.”
As the Saudi-led war and blockade on
Yemen enters its fourth year, more than
14,000 people have been killed, and over
22,000 were injured according to the Yemeni
Legal Centre for Rights and Development.
Multiples horrific testimonies, photos and
videos have shown the level of atrocities
committed by the Saudi airstrikes from the
air and their allied coalition forces on the
ground in Yemen.
According to the Yemen Data Project, the
Saudi-led coalition carried out 16,749 air
raids in Yemen, or an average of 15 a day,
between March 26, 2015, to March 25,
2018.
All this killing and brutality against the
people of Yemen is committed by the
Saudi-led coalition with the full backing
of the U.S., U.K., Canada and their other
imperialist allies. The United States is
providing logistical targeting support
and mid-air refuelling to Saudi fighter
jets and continues to restock the Saudi
government with weapons to use in Yemen.
The Canadian government has tried to
wash its hands of the blood of the Yemeni
people by donating to the United Nation's
humanitarian efforts, but an investigative
article in the Toronto Star exposed that
Canada, “exported $284 million worth of
weapons and military goods to the countries
bombing Yemen”.
The Yemeni people will prevail
Despite all of this, the Yemeni people
continue to fight and protest against the
foreign Saudi-led aggression on their
country. They continue to share their stories,
their art, their voices to uncover the lies and
deceptions by the Saudi-led coalitions and
their allies.
As peace-loving people around the world
we must join Yemeni people in exposing
the atrocities committed by the Saudi-led
coalition and the complicity of the U.S.,
Canada and their imperialist allies. Let’s
join the people of Yemen in standing up
for their self-determination, sovereignty,
human rights and a bright future for the
children of Yemen!
Follow Azza Rojbi on Twitter: @Azza_R14
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