Saudi Coalition May Have Committed War Crimes In Yemen: Amnesty International

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition launched an attack on Red Sea port of Hodeidah in Yemen early Tuesday. According to port officials, the attack has destroyed warehouses and cranes at a major import hub, which is responsible for aiding supplies to the northern part of the country.

According to the Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia and its allies have killed at least 2,000 civilians during their air strikes against the Houthis since March. A 30-page-document from Amnesty said that all parties involved in the Yemen situation may have committed war crimes.

"The report depicts in harrowing detail the gruesome and bloody trail of death and destruction in Taiz and Aden from unlawful attacks, which may amount to war crimes, by all parties," the BBC quoted Amnesty's Donatella Rovera as saying. She added that civilians had to deal with bullets on the ground by local groups and air strikes from the coalition.

The Houthi militias are in control of Hodeidah. They are backed by fighters loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen’s former president. The militias control the Red Sea coastal plain and the northern highlands.

The Saudi-led coalition accuses the Houthi militias of using aid shipments for war purpose, Al Arabiya reported. According to aid groups, the coalition is responsible for bringing an end to relief supplies.

Local groups fought with the Houthis throughout the night Monday as the militia group tried taking control of the city of Taiz. Local news channels started reporting about the overnight fight early morning Tuesday.

Earlier reports said that fighters backed by the Saudi-led coalition captured Shabwa province over the weekend. They also started moving to Taiz. The fighters, known to be the Popular Resistance, managed to push the Houthis back, according to analysts.