An MSF hospital hit in Yemen. It becomes a (dirty) habit
(B2) An MSF hospital was hit by Saudi-led coalition shelling in Yemen. This is not - unfortunately - a first! (1)
The only hospital center in the Haydan region
The small hospital located in the district of Haydan in the province of Saada was “ hit by several air raids. Hospital staff and two patients managed to flee after the first strike at 22:30 p.m. “Says the humanitarian organization. " Further raids followed for about two hours. A staff member was slightly injured while fleeing. » This hospital served at least 200 people who no longer have a health center. " The hospital rooms, consultation rooms, maternity ward, laboratory and emergency room are destroyed. It was the only still functioning hospital in the entire Haydan region can only observe Miriam Czech, MSF project coordinator in Saada. Since last May and the treatment by MSF, approximately 3 patients have been treated, with an average of 400 war-wounded per month received in the emergency room.
Total disregard for civilians
« This attack is a new illustration of the total disregard for civilians in Yemen where bombings are almost daily “, denounces Hassan Boucenine, MSF head of mission in Yemen. " Yemen finds itself caught in an all-out war where the population on the wrong side is seen as a legitimate target He adds. " Markets, schools, roads, bridges, food trucks, IDP camps and medial structures have been bombed and destroyed. And the first victims are civilians. »
A war crime?
The bombardment of civilians and hospitals is a violation of international humanitarian law and MSF is asking coalition forces to provide "explanations on the circumstances of this attack on Haydan". The GPS coordinates have " regularly passed on to the Saudi-led coalition and the roof of the hospital was clearly marked with an MSF logo”.
(NGV)
(1) Read: American blunder on the MSF hospital in Kunduz?