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U.N. to Assess Residents’ Risk in Southern Yemen City U.N. to Assess Residents’ Risk in Southern Yemen City
(6 months later)
GENEVA — Alarmed by reports of rising civilian casualties in the southern Yemen city Al Dhale, United Nations aid officials are preparing a mission this week to assess the plight of residents caught in the crossfire between government troops and rebels fighting for the south’s secession from the north. GENEVA — Alarmed by reports of rising civilian casualties in the southern Yemen city Al Dhale, United Nations aid officials are preparing a mission this week to assess the plight of residents caught in the crossfire between government troops and rebels fighting for the south’s secession from the north.
United Nations officials said the visit to Al Dhale would be the first by international staff members in the last two months, when escalating conflict in the south, the government said, made the area too insecure to allow them access. That position changed when United Nations officials met senior defense ministry officials in the capital, Sana, the week before last and provincial authorities in the southern city of Aden last week.United Nations officials said the visit to Al Dhale would be the first by international staff members in the last two months, when escalating conflict in the south, the government said, made the area too insecure to allow them access. That position changed when United Nations officials met senior defense ministry officials in the capital, Sana, the week before last and provincial authorities in the southern city of Aden last week.
The change of heart also coincided with discussions around a tough resolution that the Security Council adopted unanimously on Wednesday. It referred to serious human rights abuses committed in Al Dhale and called on all parties to allow access for relief assistance to civilians.The change of heart also coincided with discussions around a tough resolution that the Security Council adopted unanimously on Wednesday. It referred to serious human rights abuses committed in Al Dhale and called on all parties to allow access for relief assistance to civilians.
Government troops have battled sporadically for years with southern secessionists, but fighting in and around Al Dhale has escalated in the last two months as rebel and other opposition elements seek to loosen government control and disrupt political transition plans that include drawing up a new constitution and establishing a federal government.Government troops have battled sporadically for years with southern secessionists, but fighting in and around Al Dhale has escalated in the last two months as rebel and other opposition elements seek to loosen government control and disrupt political transition plans that include drawing up a new constitution and establishing a federal government.
The struggle in Al Dhale between the army and a number of rebel groups loosely affiliated with Hirak, the Southern Movement, caught international attention in December when army shells hit a funeral taking place in a city school, killing 21 people.The struggle in Al Dhale between the army and a number of rebel groups loosely affiliated with Hirak, the Southern Movement, caught international attention in December when army shells hit a funeral taking place in a city school, killing 21 people.
Navi Pillay, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, expressed shock on Wednesday at attacks by the army’s 33rd Armored Brigade stationed on the outskirts of Al Dhale. She said “indiscriminate and disproportionate” shelling of civilian areas had killed more than 40 people since December.Navi Pillay, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, expressed shock on Wednesday at attacks by the army’s 33rd Armored Brigade stationed on the outskirts of Al Dhale. She said “indiscriminate and disproportionate” shelling of civilian areas had killed more than 40 people since December.
The United Nations’ human rights office said it had recorded eight attacks since mid-January in which army shells had hit at least four hospitals and clinics, four schools, one college and one institution for people with disabilities. In the latest strike, on Feb. 18, Ms. Pillay said army shelling in retaliation for an attack on a military convoy resulted in the killing of eight civilians and the wounding of seven others.The United Nations’ human rights office said it had recorded eight attacks since mid-January in which army shells had hit at least four hospitals and clinics, four schools, one college and one institution for people with disabilities. In the latest strike, on Feb. 18, Ms. Pillay said army shelling in retaliation for an attack on a military convoy resulted in the killing of eight civilians and the wounding of seven others.
Al Dhale residents, reached by telephone, said that in many instances troops were retaliating against gunfire coming from populated areas. Rebel gunmen frequently open fire at soldiers staffing checkpoints or riding in army vehicles, sometimes shooting from schools, hospitals or houses, said Ibrahim Ali, a human rights activist in the city. In some instances, he added, rebels have fired automatic weapons at civilian buildings, including hospitals and schools, to incriminate the army.Al Dhale residents, reached by telephone, said that in many instances troops were retaliating against gunfire coming from populated areas. Rebel gunmen frequently open fire at soldiers staffing checkpoints or riding in army vehicles, sometimes shooting from schools, hospitals or houses, said Ibrahim Ali, a human rights activist in the city. In some instances, he added, rebels have fired automatic weapons at civilian buildings, including hospitals and schools, to incriminate the army.
Troops did not always return fire, but when they did many casualties resulted, the residents said. They want the armored brigade to withdraw from its base on the edge of the city.Troops did not always return fire, but when they did many casualties resulted, the residents said. They want the armored brigade to withdraw from its base on the edge of the city.
Still, claims by the army that troops had come under fire by armed groups “can never justify the use of indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks,” Ms. Pillay said. She urged the government to investigate the armored brigade’s actions in Al Dhale and called for a report from the committee that the government set up to investigate the December incident.Still, claims by the army that troops had come under fire by armed groups “can never justify the use of indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks,” Ms. Pillay said. She urged the government to investigate the armored brigade’s actions in Al Dhale and called for a report from the committee that the government set up to investigate the December incident.
The Security Council resolution urged Yemen’s leaders to push ahead with political transition and provided for the formation of a committee to identify anyone obstructing the process and to impose on them a range of sanctions, including a freeze on their assets and a travel ban.The Security Council resolution urged Yemen’s leaders to push ahead with political transition and provided for the formation of a committee to identify anyone obstructing the process and to impose on them a range of sanctions, including a freeze on their assets and a travel ban.
The resolution sent a clear message of the council’s support for the aspirations of Yemenis seeking “deep and meaningful change,” said Jamal Benomar, special adviser on Yemen to the United Nations’ secretary general, Ban Ki-moon.The resolution sent a clear message of the council’s support for the aspirations of Yemenis seeking “deep and meaningful change,” said Jamal Benomar, special adviser on Yemen to the United Nations’ secretary general, Ban Ki-moon.