[JURIST] The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) [official website] on Wednesday urged all sides of conflict in Yemen to obey the rules of war, expressing concern over reports of civilian casualties following air strikes in the capital Sana’a and other parts of the country. The ICRC reminded [press release] all parties involved in the current violence that they “are bound by the rules governing the conduct of hostilities.” The ICRC also called on those involved to avoid harm to civilians and civilian objects. In response to the recent violence, the ICRC and the Ministry of Public Health and Population have been donating medical supplies.

The rapidly deteriorating situation in Yemen has sparked major international concern. Earlier this week during an emergency meeting, the UN special envoy to Yemen warned [JURIST report] the UN security Council that the situation in Yemen is teetering on the brink of civil war. In February UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged [JURIST report] Yemen to reinstate President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. In November the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) [official website] expressed concern [JURIST report] over alleged human rights violations occurring in Yemen in recent months. In May Human Rights Watch [advocacy website] reported that traffickers in Yemen were holding [JURIST report] African migrants in detention camps and using torture as a method of extorting money from their families with the cooperation of local officials.