Experts: Attack will worsen already dire humanitarian situation
An Israeli airstrike on Yemen’s vital Hodeidah port is likely to cause more harm to civilians than to the Houthi rebels it was intended to target, experts have said.
The attack, which took place on Saturday, killed at least six people and wounded 11 others, according to medical sources. It also damaged the port’s main grain terminal, which is a lifeline for millions of Yemenis who rely on food imports.
This attack is a major escalation of the conflict in Yemen and will have devastating consequences for civilians, said Peter Salisbury, a Yemen expert at the International Crisis Group.
The port of Hodeidah is the main entry point for food, fuel, and other essential supplies into Yemen. Damaging it will worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in the country.
Attack could lead to famine
According to the United Nations, 10 million people in Yemen are at risk of starvation and 22 million need humanitarian assistance. The country is also facing a cholera outbreak that has infected over 1 million people.
The attack on Hodeidah port is a death sentence for millions of Yemenis, said Jan Egeland, the UN’s humanitarian chief. This attack could lead to a famine.
The Israeli government has claimed that the airstrike was necessary to prevent the Houthis from using the port to smuggle weapons. However, experts say that there is no evidence to support this claim.
The Houthis have been using Hodeidah port for years to import food and other essential supplies, said Salisbury. There is no evidence to suggest that they have been using it to smuggle weapons.
Call for international action
The international community has condemned the Israeli airstrike and called for an immediate ceasefire. The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the attack.
This attack is a clear violation of international law, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. I call on all parties to the conflict to respect international law and to protect civilians.
Humanitarian groups are also calling for immediate action to prevent a famine in Yemen.
We need to get food and other essential supplies into Yemen now, said Egeland. If we don’t, millions of people will die.
Kind regards
E. Thompson
