US denounces strikes on Doctors Without Borders hospital in Yemen

The United States denounced Monday airstrikes in Yemen that hit a hospital where Doctors Without Borders (MSF) works, but refrained from condemning outright the US-backed, Saudi-led coalition that led the attack.

The Arab coalition air raids in northern Yemen killed at least 11 people, MSF said, just 48 hours after another attack that the humanitarian organization said killed 10 children.

"We're deeply concerned by a reported strike on a hospital in northern Yemen," said State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau. 

"Strikes on humanitarian facilities, including hospitals, are particularly concerning."

The US called "on all parties to cease hostilities immediately," but Trudeau did not specifically point to the Saudi-led coalition. 

"Continued military actions only prolong the suffering of the Yemeni people," the US diplomat said.

Asked about the coalition's potential responsibility, Trudeau said the US remains "in close contact with the Saudis on this."

The shelling hit northern areas controlled by Huthi rebels, who are allied with soldiers loyal to ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Saleh has jostled for power with President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi since 2014.

Since March 2015 Washington has supported and sold defense equipment to a coalition of nine countries led by Saudi Arabia carrying out strikes in Yemen.

The US regularly urges its Saudi ally to avoid civilian casualties in the devastating Yemeni conflict. 

In some 18 months, the war has left more than 6,400 dead and 30,000 hurt, including many civilians.

Source: AFP