Saudi-led airstrikes hit a convoy of civilians fleeing fighting in southern Yemen early Wednesday, killing at least 31 people in an attack among the deadliest of the 3-month-old air campaign, despite peace talks in Geneva aimed at ending the fighting.
The two airstrikes hit a convoy of civilian vehicles fleeing north from the southern city of Aden, which has seen intense fighting. Medics described a scene of carnage, with body parts scattered across the highway and smoke billowing from charred vehicles, AP reported.
Heavy fighting was underway Wednesday in the oil and gas-rich Marib Province east of the capital, Sanaa, security officials said.
Airstrikes targeted positions in Marib as well as in Sanaa, Aden, and the western city of Taiz, according to sources, AP reported.
In Taiz, Houthi shelling killed more than 30 civilians from Tuesday until Wednesday afternoon, medical officials and witnesses said.
All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to journalists.
“The fighting in Yemen is terrible enough without the sides bringing the battle into hospitals,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch.
