Warplanes pound Yemen's capital in latest raid

Aircraft from a Saudi-led coalition attacked Yemen's interior ministry in the capital, Sanaa, late on Friday and launched several other raids on sites in the heart of the city, residents and other sources said.

Workers walk by a chocolate factory destroyed by a Saudi-led air strike in Yemen's capital Sanaa,

The air raids by the coalition have intensified in recent weeks as a Gulf Arab ground force and fighters loyal to exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi prepare a campaign to recapture Sanaa, seized by Houthi fighters in September 2014.

Residents said about 10 air strikes were launched on the ministry building in the north of the capital, a police camp close to it and a military building.

The health ministry issued an urgent appeal saying it did not have the capacity to treat all those injured as a result of the strikes on several areas of Sanaa, the official Houthi controlled news agency said on Saturday.

Hospitals lack the basic medicines necessary for treating the wounded and lack fuel to operate ambulances and hospital equipment, a health ministry official said.

article,article,article Related

Air raids also targeted the Fulaihi area of Old Sanaa early on Saturday morning, destroying several houses.

The Omani foreign affairs ministry said the residence of its ambassador in Sanaa was hit by a strike on Friday and denounced the act.

"Oman received with deep regret yesterday's news targeting the ambassador's home in Sanaa, which is a clear violation of international charters and norms that emphasize the inviolability of diplomatic premises," the statement said.

The statement urged the Yemeni parties to put aside their differences with each other to ensure the return of stability and security in Yemen.

In Saada province, about 30 people were killed in various strikes in various strikes on Friday, a Houthi news agency said.

The coalition began air strikes against the Houthis and their allies - forces loyal to Saleh - in late March after they pushed from their northern stronghold toward the southern port of Aden.

It is pushing ahead with an offensive in Marib, about 120 km (75 miles) east of Sanaa, trying to drive the Houthis out of the province in preparation for a push against the capital.

Sources within the coalition have said they are waiting for "zero hour" to launch a full attack on Marib which will signal the end of the Houthi rebellion, pan Arab television Al Arabiya said.

related articles
British hostage freed as Al Qaeda takes ground in Yemen
British hostage freed as Al Qaeda takes ground in Yemen

British hostage freed as Al Qaeda takes ground in Yemen

Syrian bishop: Watching Christians leave is 'an experience of death'

Syrian bishop: Watching Christians leave is 'an experience of death'

The \'forgotten\' war in Yemen and how the West is fuelling it
The 'forgotten' war in Yemen and how the West is fuelling it

The 'forgotten' war in Yemen and how the West is fuelling it

News
Mary Berry says her Christian faith sustained her after son’s tragic death
Mary Berry says her Christian faith sustained her after son’s tragic death

Beloved queen of cakes and former Great British Bake-Off judge, Dame Mary Berry, has spoken movingly about how her Christian faith was deepened and became her anchor following the tragic loss of her teenage son, William, more than three decades ago.  

Russell Brand, born-again Christian and media personality, charged with rape and sexual assault
Russell Brand, born-again Christian and media personality, charged with rape and sexual assault

He is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 2 May.

Christian nurse who refused to call convicted paedophile a woman is suspended
Christian nurse who refused to call convicted paedophile a woman is suspended

A Christian NHS nurse has been suspended after she went public about a disciplinary investigation over her refusal to refer to a biologically male paedophile as a woman. 

YWAM responds to allegations of spiritual abuse
YWAM responds to allegations of spiritual abuse

YWAM has said it is "deeply sorry" after The Observer published a report in which former members alleged that they were subjected to strict controls, pressure and spiritual abuse.