Yemen conflict: Aden a 'ghost city' as death toll rises

by Leila Mohamed and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, Beirut

1 hour ago

The head of the ICRC in the Yemeni city of Aden has told the BBC the country's conflict has made it a "ghost city".

Robert Ghosen said medical supplies were urgently needed in the city. On Monday an aid flight to Yemen was held back because of logistical problems.
The World Health Organisation says more than 540 people have died in the conflict.
In recent months Yemen has been gripped by fighting between several different groups.
The main conflict is between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, who has fled to Saudi Arabia.
Aden is under siege from Houthi rebels pushing south from the capital Sanaa, and for two weeks Saudi air strikes have targeted the Houthis in response - with civilians caught in the middle.

'Nowhere to be seen'

"We are seeing a lot of people arriving dead at the hospital or dying in the hospitals," Mr Ghosen told the BBC's Today programme.

"We are seeing a lot of people arriving dead at the hospital or dying in the hospitals," Mr Ghosen told the BBC's Today programme.
"The hospitals don't have the right supplies and the right staff," he said.
"People are nowhere to be seen, they are hiding. The economy has completely stopped," he went on, adding the streets were "littered" with rubbish and rubble from damaged buildings.
"[The city] is full of armed people from different groups fighting. This is a big city and nothing is functional," Mr Ghosen said.

Unicef has said at least 74 of those killed in the conflict were children. The WHO says 1,700 people have been wounded.
The ICRC has previously called for a 24-hour ceasefire in Aden, while Russia has also urged the UN Security Council to support a "humanitarian pause" in the air strikes.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was given permission by a Saudi-led coalition to land planes carrying staff and medical supplies.
The passenger plane landed safely on Monday but the supply flight has been unable to depart due to security concerns.

Yemen: who is fighting whom?
The Houthis: Zaidi Shia-led rebels from the north, who seized control of Sanaa last year and have since been expanding their control
President Hadi: Fled to Saudi Arabia after rebel forces advanced on his stronghold in the southern city of Aden
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula: Seen by the US as the most dangerous offshoot of al-Qaeda, AQAP opposes both the Houthis and President Hadi.
Islamic State: A Yemeni affiliate of IS has recently emerged, which seeks to eclipse AQAP
Failure 'not an option for Saudis'

Yemen crisis: An Iranian-Saudi battleground?
Meeting the Houthis - and their enemies
The rise of Yemen's Houthi rebels

President Hadi was forced to flee Yemen two weeks ago, as the rebels advanced on Aden.
The Houthis have said their aim is to replace his government, which they accuse of being corrupt.
They are supported by troops loyal to the former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was ousted in the Arab Spring protests.
Saudi Arabia says the Houthis have military backing from regional rival Iran, which denies the allegation.