450 civilians killed in Yemen in first nine days of August, confirms UNHCR

The UN Refugees Agency said on Tuesday that more than 450 civilians were killed in Yemen in the first nine days of August because of the conflict in the country.

“The conflict has escalated significantly over the past 3 months, in particular in Hudaydah governorate,” UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler told reporters in Geneva. “According to the Civil Impact Monitoring Report, over 450 civilians have lost their lives in Yemen in the first nine days of August alone, making it one of the deadliest periods since the start of the conflict in March 2015.”

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Spindler explained that the UNHCR is intensifying its response to meet the most urgent protection needs of thousands of families displaced by the fighting in Hudaydah, the strategic port city through which 80 per cent of all food and aid arrives in Yemen.

The UN agency called on all parties to ensure the physical safety of civilians and their freedom of movement. They should also guarantee safe routes for civilians to leave conflict areas, it added.

Yemen has been going through a war since 2015 between government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Houthi militants, who control several provinces, including the capital, Sanaa.