World

41 Days of Non-Stop Bombing: Saudi Jets Continue Bombing Sana'a Airport

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Saudi-led coalition resumed its indiscriminate air strikes on several areas across Yemen for the 41st day on Tuesday, and hit the international airport in the capital Sana'a.

Saudi warplanes bombed Sana'a international airport on Tuesday despite UN calls for an end to the kingdom's bombing of the airport so that humanitarian aids can be delivered to the people in need in the impoverished country.

On Monday, the UN urged the Saudi-led coalition to stop bombing Sana'a International Airport that has hindered the delivery of the humanitarian aids to the nation.

Promoting the aid operation in Yemen, the United Nations urged the Saudi-led coalition, which is carrying out airstrikes against Yemen, to stop bombing the capital’s airport, said the UN relief coordinator for the country.

"Without access to the airports, aid agencies are unable to bring in staff, vital supplies of medicines and other critical life-saving assistance, or undertake medical evacuations of their personnel," Johannes van der Klaauw said.

"I strongly urge the coalition to stop targeting Sana'a International Airport and to preserve this important lifeline – and all other airports and seaports – so that humanitarians can reach all those affected by the armed conflict in Yemen," the UN official added.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the last week’s strikes by the coalition rendered it impossible for airplanes to take off or land on the runways of the airport.

Earlier today, the Saudi-led coalition fighter jets bombed the districts of Mualla and Khormaksar in the Yemeni province of Aden.

Also, Saudi warplanes launched nearly 50 rockets on civilian areas in the Northern Yemeni province of Sa'ada, and claimed the lives of scores of people.

Earlier in the day, Sahar district in Sa'ada was also bombed in the kingdom's air raids.

Meantime, Saudi troops fired artillery shells at Dhaher district in Sa'ada province, leaving scores of civilians dead and injured.

Elsewhere in Yemen, the Saudi artillery units shelled several areas in Harad district in Hajjah province, and killed more civilians.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia halted all flights to and from Najran airport as the Yemeni tribal fighters have intensified their retaliatory attacks against the Persian Gulf kingdom's troops at the Saudi border city of Najran on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia halted all flights to and from Najran airport "until further notice", reports said.

Earlier today, Yemeni tribal forces launched several mortar rounds at Saudi border city of Najran in retaliation for the bombardment of their tribes by the Saudi soldiers in the last several days.

The Yemeni tribesmen fired at least 10 mortar rounds at Saudi Southwestern city of Najran.

The retaliatory attack came after Saudi troops fired artillery shells against the civilians at border areas and killed large groups of people.

Cross-border skirmishes between the Saudi troops and Yemeni tribes have flared up over the last four weeks, as the monarchy's airstrikes continue and have so far claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people, particularly at border areas.

On Monday, the Yemeni army troops backed by the popular committees purged most of al-Tawahi area in Aden of the militants.

Also on Monday, Yemeni tribal fighters invaded the Saudi border areas of Jazan and Najran, and stormed five military posts in retaliation for the Saudi attacks.

Meantime, Yemeni people took to the streets in the capital Sana'a in condemnation of Saudi Arabia's unrelenting air strikes on their impoverished country.

On Monday, Yemenis staged a large demonstration in front of the United Nations’ headquarters in the capital of Sana’a to protest against Saudi Arabia’s aggression against their country.

The protesters condemned the Saudi military campaign and also slammed the air and sea blockade on Yemen, which prevents the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people.

"We have come to the UN headquarters to denounce Saudi Arabia’s continued airstrikes that have mostly targeted civilians. Such attacks do not target a specific group as they claim," said protester, adding, "It is a genocidal war against a poor people."

Yemenis are "facing a crime against humanity". Saudi Arabia is preventing deliveries of basic food, fuel and medicine, said protester, adding, "It is a shame on the world to keep silent on such atrocities committed against civilians."

Riyadh launched its airstrikes against Yemen on March 26 without a UN's mandate. Saudi Arabia aims to undermine the Ansarullah popular fighters and restore power to fugitive President Mansour Hadi, who is a staunch ally of Riyadh.

Despite Riyadh's claims that it is bombing the positions of the Ansarullah fighters, Saudi warplanes are flattening residential areas and civilian infrastructures.

On April 21, Riyadh announced the end of its military operations, but airstrikes have continued with Saudi bombers targeting different areas across the country in a new phase.

The monarchy's aerial bombardments have so far claimed the lives of at least 3,163 people, mostly women and children.