UNICEF Condemns Saudi strikes on Yemen water systems

“A large water facility in Sa’ada, northwest of the country, came under attack this week. This is the third such attack on the same facility. More than half of the project is now damaged, cutting off 10,500 people from safe drinking water,” the statement reads.

“Continuous attacks on water systems in Yemen are cutting off children and their families from water; increasing the likelihood of water-borne diseases spreading in the war-torn country,” UNICEF said.

Saudi Arabia and its regional allies attacked Yemen in March 2015 to bring back to power the deposed president of Yemen Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. The invaders have committed horrible war crimes against Yemeni civilians during the past three years.

“For families in Yemen, these crumbling basic services are a matter of life and death. Access to these services is about the sheer survival of boys and girls in Yemen. If they continue to come under attack, more lives – among them many children – will be lost,” the statement continues.

“Attacks on civilian infrastructure including water systems are a violation of international humanitarian law,’ UNICEF said, urging parties to the conflict wherever they are in Yemen and those who have influence over them, to stop all attacks and military activity on or near civilian infrastructure including water systems and facilities, schools, hospitals and clinics.