Sanaa, July 6 (IANS) The Saudi-led Arab international coalition targeting the Houthi Shia rebel movement in Yemen bombed the headquarters of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh’s political party on Monday.
Airstrikes also targeted the homes of several leaders of the General People’s Congress party and of several Houthi leaders, witnesses told Efe news agency.
The bombings hit hours after special UN envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed arrived in Sanaa to hold talks with leaders of the party and the rebel movement to reach a humanitarian truce.
The party’s assistant secretary-general, Faiqa al-Sayed, said that the attack was meant to oppose the mediator’s efforts to reach a truce and revive the political process, according to a statement posted on the party’s website.
Al-Sayed said that the shelling caused deaths and injuries, but did not specify the number of victims.
Since late March, the air offensive led by Saudi Arabia has targeted Houthi movement and Saleh’s allies in different areas throughout Yemen.
The air raids aim to stop the advances of the rebels and restore the legitimate government under President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, after the Houthi militias took control of the capital.