Yemen violence 'leaves 944 dead, 3487 injured'

The violence raging in Yemen since late March has killed 944 people and injured 3,487 as of April 17, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.

The UN health agency said the numbers came from health facilities in Yemen, but the true figures are likely higher since many people are not making it to hospitals for treatment.

Last Friday, the WHO had put the toll at 767 deaths and 2,906 injured in the latest round of violence that began on March 19.

The WHO toll does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.

Yemen, strategically located near key shipping routes and bordering oil-rich Saudi Arabia, was plunged into chaos last year when Iran-backed Huthi Shiite rebels seized the capital Sanaa.

A coalition of Sunni Arab nations led by Saudi Arabia launched air strikes last month against the rebels, vowing to restore the authority of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who fled to Riyadh as the rebels advanced on his southern refuge of Aden.

On Tuesday, medics in Yemen reported that 38 civilians had been killed and 532 wounded when the coalition struck a missile depot in the Yemeni capital on Monday.
Source: AFP