ICRC studies sending team to Saadah [Archives:2004/754/Front Page]

Hassan Al-Zaidi
The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation to Yemen, Mr. Martin Amacher revealed to the press on Saturday that the ICRC is studying the possibility to send a team to investigate and assist the victims of the violence still continuing in Saadah.
The international humanitarian body said it would cooperate with that Yemeni Red Crescent Society in gathering information about the possibility of providing medicine and emergency aid to those who had to flee their areas and those who were directly or indirectly affected by the violent confrontations between the Yemeni military forces and Al-Houthy's armed men. Mr. Amacher said he would try to establish a cease-fire status, which would facilitate the delivery of essential goods to the affected areas.
Mr. Amacher added that he would meet with Deputy Interior Minister to know about the situation in the Saadah region and would try to talk with the other side in this conflict, which represents Al-Houthy.
Mr. Amacher's statement, which was made during a training course held in Sanaa to build the capacity of volunteers at the Yemeni Red Crescent Society, has come after Al-Houthy and tribal and religious leaders in Saadah pleaded to the international community and specifically to the ICRC to intervene and save the situation from further deterioration.
The fighting that had erupted almost a month ago has caused tremendous damage to security and stability of Saadah and has also, according to local sources, led to the killing of as many as 500 and injury and fleeing of thousands. Most of the killings are said to have resulted from the use of heavy weaponry by government security forces, including helicopter gunships.
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