Yemen: dozens of people wounded in the fighting in Abyan

Since yesterday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been treating dozens of people wounded in the fighting pitting government forces against Ansar Al Sharia in Ja'ar, Abyan governorate.

It has also been providing field health posts with medical supplies to enable them to treat other casualties.

"The fighting in Abyan has been particularly intense in the past few days. It has left scores of people wounded or dead on both sides," said Eric Marclay, the head of the ICRC delegation in Yemen. "Our priority is to bring urgently needed medical assistance to the injured. We are performing life-saving surgery on the spot. Our staff have been working around the clock since yesterday in difficult circumstances in an improvised field post, as the hospital in Ja'ar, the only one in the governorate of Abyan, was damaged last year and is still not up and running again."

There are reports that some people taking part in the fighting were arrested and detained during the recent clashes. "Should that be the case, we will ask for immediate access to detainees on both sides," said Mr Marclay.

The ICRC reminds both parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law. In particular, both parties must distinguish at all times between civilians and fighters, respect the rights of detainees, and ensure that all injured persons have safe and unhindered access to medical care.

For further information, please contact:
Dibeh Fakhr, ICRC Sana'a, tel:

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