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Saudi-led Coalition Moves Against Separatists in Yemen

Reuters

   ADEN, YEMEN - The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Aden on Sunday in
   support of the Yemeni government after southern separatists effectively
   took over the port city, fracturing the alliance that had been battling
   the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.

   The infighting, which broke out on Aug. 8 to control the port city
   which serves as temporary seat of Yemen's Saudi-backed,
   internationally-recognized government, has killed up to 40 people and
   injured 260, the United Nations said.

   "It is heart-breaking that during Eid al-Adha [the Muslim holiday]
   families are mourning the death of their loved ones instead of
   celebrating together in peace," said Lise Grande, the
   U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen.

   "Our main concern right now is to dispatch medical teams to rescue the
   injured," she said in a statement on Sunday. "We are also very worried
   by reports that civilians trapped in their homes are running out of
   food and water."

   The Saudi-led, Sunni Muslim coalition said it attacked an area that
   posed a "direct threat" to the government of President Abd-Rabbu
   Mansour Hadi, without providing details.
   A local official told Reuters the coalition had targeted separatist
   forces surrounding the nearly empty presidential palace in the Crater
   district. Hadi is based in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

   "This is only the first operation and will be followed by others ...
   the Southern Transitional Council (STC) still has a chance to
   withdraw," Saudi state TV quoted it as saying.
   Several hours after the coalition announcement, there was no indication
   that STC forces were preparing to leave government military camps they
   seized on Saturday.

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