Trouble In Yemen As Houthi Rebels Make Gains In Aden

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Yemen’s Shia Houthi rebels have made more gains in the city of Aden, despite air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition. Fighting in the southern city has become very intense as rebels and forces loyal to President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi battle for control. BBC was there:

Countries including Pakistan and China have stepped up efforts to evacuate their citizens amid reports of a worsening humanitarian situation. A Pakistani aircraft rescued 170 people from the capital Sanaa on Sunday.

More than 800 Pakistani citizens have already left. Flights from China, Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti are also scheduled, according to the Saudi-led coalition. The air strikes against the rebels continued for an 11th night on Saturday.  The Red Cross has called for a 24-hour ceasefire in Aden, the country’s second city, to bring in medical supplies.

It says medical teams and rescuers must have access to the city, a stronghold of those loyal to President Hadi, or more civilians will die. Spokesperson Marie Claire Feghali told the BBC that the humanitarian situation in the city was “dire” and that bodies were beginning to pile up on the streets.

“People cannot go out to buy food, we know that there is a lack of water in the city because the water pipes have been damaged, we are trying to do everything we can but the situation is extremely difficult,” she said.

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