OHCHR expresses concern over rising civilian deaths in Yemen

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Tuesday expressed concerns over rising civilian deaths in Yemen.

The death toll has risen to at least 1,916, with another 4,186 civilians wounded since the escalation of the armed conflict on March 26.

OHCHR spokesperson Cecile Pouilly told a press conference that over the past few weeks, there have been two particularly devastating attacks in residential areas.

On July 19, 95 civilians, including 29 children were killed and 198 injured in Aden in the Al Ghaleel Residential Area which is home to members of Al-Muhamasheen Community, a marginalized group in Yemen. The attacks were reportedly conducted by the Houthi Popular Committees using mortar shelling.

Five days later, at least 73 civilians, including 11 children, were killed and 93 injured, when two residential compounds in Taiz were hit. The compounds housed the families of workers of Al Mokha Steam Power Plant.

The UN human rights agency is also deeply concerned about attacks against civilian infrastructure, including places of worship, hospitals and schools.

OHCHR again urged all parties to ensure they distinguish between civilian and military targets, comply with the principle of proportionality when conducting military operations and take all feasible precautions to avoid, and in any event to minimize, the impact of violence on civilians.