31 Jul 2017 | 10:19 PM UTC
Yemen: Saudi jets bomb Yemen government target July 30
Saudi-led coalition jets mistakenly bomb Yemeni government troops July 30; eight reported dead
Event
Eight soldiers under the command of the Yemeni government were accidentally killed in Sa’ada governorate by Saudi-led coalition fighter jets on Sunday, July 30, according to the Yemeni military. Further details regarding the targeting error have yet to be released.
Context
Saudi Arabia is heavily involved in Yemen's complex and deadly conflict. Hostilities have been ongoing since Houthi rebels started a conflict with the Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, in 2015. Two rounds of UN-backed peace talks have failed to resolve the conflict. Approximately 10,000 Yemenis have died in the fighting and over 2.5 million are displaced. The devastating war has also sparked a cholera outbreak, which has affected approximately 350,000 people to date.
Advice
The security environment in Yemen remains complex. Although travel is permissible in some areas, other areas should be considered strictly off limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel. Many Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the country.
