YCHO Support Center : Targeting "Al-Thawra Hospital" and "Fish Market" in Al-Hodeidah by Houthis is a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law

Riyadh, Dhu-AlQa'dah 23, 1439, August 05, 2018, SPA -- The Yemen Comprehensive Humanitarian Operations' Support Center (YCHO) has viewed the statement of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Yemen on the recent events of Al-Hodeidah and the statement issued by the Command of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen about the involvement of Houthi Militias in targeting "Al-Thawra Hospital" and the "Fish Market" in Al-Hodeidah. The Coalition found evidence of the involvement of Houthi Militias in targeting civilians with Houthi mortar. YCHO expresses its sympathy and deep sorrow for the deaths of innocent civilians in Yemen and stresses the need to spare civilians in all Yemeni governorates and the effects of the conflict, and calls for full compliance with the provisions of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and its customary rules, conforming that targeting "Al-Thawra Hospital" and the "Fish Market" by Houthis and the resulting civilian casualties among the dead and wounded is a serious violation of (IHL) by these Militias. The Center also expresses its condolences to the families of the victims, stressing its continued efforts and maximum cooperation to aid and relief the Yemeni people in coordination with the Yemeni Government, the Command of Coalition and humanitarian and relief organizations operating in Yemen. The Coalition launched the Comprehensive Humanitarian Operation Plan in Yemen on 22 January 2018, through which Yemen's Humanitarian Response Plan for 2018 (YHRP) was funded by ($1.25) billion from the Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. The plan also included the establishment of the Yemen Comprehensive Humanitarian Operations' Support Center to coordinate humanitarian work in Yemen, to respond to the questions and needs of humanitarian organizations operating in Yemen and to support relief workers. The plan also included a number of initiatives to improve the situation. In conjunction with military operations in Al-Hodeidah, the Kingdom and the UAE launched five initiatives to support humanitarian efforts through the launch of a relief bridge (Air, Sea, and Land). YCHO affirms its continued support for international humanitarian and relief efforts aiming to alleviate to suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people and to continue to exchange information to ensure having correct and accurate information, which will enhance our communication together and contribute to achieving positive results towards the relief of the Yemeni People. --SPA