Ukraine in Arabic | Iran calls for UN action as Saudi airstrikes resume against Houthis in Yemen

19.05.2015 - 13:12 #Iran, #UN, #Houthis, #Yemen, #Javad Zarif, #Saudi-led forces, #Saudi airstrikes, #Sunni Muslim

In Yemen air strikes by Saudi-led forces have resumed against Houthi rebel positions in the southern city of Aden after a five-day humanitarian truce expired.

Kiev/ Ukraine in Arabic/ This comes as Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on the UN to take a more active role, including establishing a presence on the ground to ensure that humanitarian aid could be distributed.

“The targets in most areas have been civilian areas and it is regrettable that that has continued,” he said. “It is also regrettable that humanitarian assistance has failed to reach the people of Yemen who are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.”

Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Muslim allies have been fighting the Houthis and units loyal to former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh for more than six weeks. They say the rebels are backed by Shi’ite Muslim power Iran, an allegation Tehran denies. A five-day truce began on Tuesday night to allow humanitarian aid into Yemen.

Although the airstrikes were halted many people across the south of the country reported that heavy fighting continued throughout. Despite Saudi efforts the Houthis have made significant gains.