YEMEN-SECURITY/SANAA AIR STRIKE Saudi-led air strikes kill 44 in attack on Yemeni army compound - agency

Record ID: 150382

  • Title: YEMEN-SECURITY/SANAA AIR STRIKE Saudi-led air strikes kill 44 in attack on Yemeni army compound - agency
  • Date: 7th June 2015
  • Summary: SANAA, YEMEN (JUNE 7, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF RUBBLE AND DEBRIS FROM AIR STRIKE STREWN ALONG THE STREET MEN WALKING ON RUBBLE AND DEBRIS BUILDING WITH SHATTERED WINDOWS AS A RESULT OF THE EXPLOSION RUBBLE FROM A DAMAGED BUILDING ON THE STREET A PIECE OF THE MISSILE THAT STRUCK THE AREA MEN STANDING IN THE STREET AMID RUBBLE AND DEBRIS FROM THE AIR STRIKE (SOUNDBITE) (Ar
  • Embargoed: 22nd June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Yemen
  • Country: Yemen
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA2VGHW1EYVWDQGTZ1BVHDPG35J
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Saudi-led air strikes killed at least 44 in a raid on the main headquarters of the Yemeni army held by allies of the Houthi rebels in central Sanaa on Sunday (June 7), the Houthi-run state news agency Saba said.
    The agency said that more than 100 people, including civilians, were also wounded in the attack which destroyed nearby homes in Tahrir district in Sanaa.
    Residents had earlier said that four explosions shook the compound, where soldiers allied with the Iranian-backed Houthi group that dominates Yemen had gathered since Saturday evening to get their pay cheques.
    "More than 44 citizens were martyred and 100 others including women and children, according to preliminary figures," the agency said.
    Rubble, shattered glass and other debris from nearby damaged and destroyed residential homes lay strewn along the street.
    "We were sleeping on the third floor and suddenly we heard the plane overhead and the first missile struck in one corner of the compound then the plane turned and hit the southern edge of the compound and then turned again and struck in the centre of the compound," said Ahmed Al Qaidani, a local resident.
    The escalation of the violence came despite progress toward convening United Nations-backed peace talks this month in Geneva. The exiled Yemeni government in Riyadh and the Houthis have agreed to attend the talks which start on June 14.
    Saudi-led forces have been pounding the Houthi group since March 26 in a campaign aimed at restoring President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power.
    Residents said Saudi-led aircraft also targeted other military camps east and west of the capital but there was no immediate word on casualties.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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