What’s happening in Yemen today
4.1.2015 edition: Clashes in Aden and Mukalla, continued evacuation of foreign nationals, anti-airstrike protests.
4.1.2015 edition
By the Reported.ly Team
Photo by eesti on Flickr: Sana’a, January 2, 2007
We are creating a daily rundown of events in Yemen as Saudi Arabian-led airstrikes against Houthis that began March 26 continue. The Houthi militia has been fighting the Yemeni government for nearly a decade, and in recent months has made enormous gains across the country, including capturing the capital, Sana’a.
For an explanation of what happened in the first few days of the military action, read our synopsis.
Most recent update: 4.1.2015 6:31 p.m. ET (1:31 a.m. GMT)
Clashes in Aden, reports of Al-Qaeda in Mukalla
Airstrikes in Sana’a continued, but many reports tonight came from Aden, where hospitals are appealing for any sort of help.
A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, Brig. Ahmed Asiri, said Houthis had attacked in Aden in southern Yemen, but withdrew to Al-Dhalei and Shabwa.
Eyewitness accounts dispute that, saying Houthi fighters are still in Aden, clashing with residents. Reuters reported Houthis arrived in a “column of tanks.”
In Mukalla, in eastern Yemen, there were numerous unconfirmed reports that Al-Qaeda had launched attacks in the city, releasing prisoners from Central Prison.
Earlier in the day, Al-Qaeda claimed they had killed ten Houthis in al-Bayda’ and Taiz.
On evacuations: Americans are still waiting, India continues to evacuate Indian nationals
Americans in Yemen are still waiting to be evacuated, despite the presence of three naval ships in the Gulf of Aden.
“We have no current plans to evacuate private US citizens from Yemen,” an unnamed State Department official told The Guardian.
Meanwhile, India continues to evacuate Indian nationals. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has even taken the task to Twitter.
Bangladesh is also seeking help to evacuate 1,500 to 3,000 Bangladeshis stranded in Yemen.
In Somalia, refugees from Yemen have started to arrive.
Anti-airstrike protests continue in Sana’a
There were anti-airstrike, pro-Houthi protests in Sana’a. Thousands rallied, shouting pro-Houthi slogans.
Morning updates (9:52 a.m. PT)
More than 360 deaths, water access threatened in Aden
A UNOCHA report quoted a WHO estimate of 361 deaths & 1,345 injuries since March 23, mostly civilians, noting that casualty figures are often underestimates, and that displacement estimates are rising quickly but cannot be verified. Fuel shortages in the south are threatening access to water services. There were also reports of fuel shortages at Sana’a gas stations.
Explosion at dairy factory in Hodeida
A milk and yoghurt plant in Hodeida, located next to a military camp held by Saleh loyalists, was reportedly hit with workers inside. Medical sources told Reuters more than 25 people were killed, and injury figures ranged in the dozens. Witnesses said it was not clear whether the explosion was caused by an airstrike or an errant rocket or shell.
Evacuation of foreign nationals continues
348 Indians including 101 women and 28 children, mostly from Kerala, evacuated on Tuesday by boat by the Indian Navy, reached Djibouti on Wednesday. An Indian Air Force transport plane was dispatched to Djibouti to return them home. 200 Pakistanis stranded in Aden were to be evacuated to Djibouti today, by a Chinese naval ship. Earlier this week, China evacuated 600 of its own citizens.
Indian Navy Evacuates 349 Indians From... - Indian Navy Page | Facebook
Indian Navy Evacuates 349 Indians From Aden in Strife-Torn Yemen.www.facebook.com
Renewed calls for medical access and supplies
MSF called for more medical supplies but also for more specialized medical personnel.
Saudi talks on Yemen to exclude Houthis and Saleh
Quoting an unnamed Saudi source, Egyptian daily Ahram Online reported that Saudi Arabia is planning to hold talks in Riyadh on Yemen’s future after the offensive, in which neither the Houthis nor their ally, ousted former president Ali Abdullah Saleh will be invited to participate.