Yemeni airport damaged, preventing delivery of aid

SANAA, Yemen, April 28 (UPI) -- Saudi-led airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen damaged a runway in the capital Tuesday, preventing the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid.

Saudi Arabian missiles reportedly struck an oil tanker near the airport, setting the runway on fire.

The airport hadn't been in use for regular flights, but the damaged runway could prevent aid from getting to the city and hinder the evacuation of civilians.

The newly formed Yemeni High Relief Committee on Monday declared the cities of Aden, Taiz and Dhale to be in critical need of food, medicine, food, power and water. Nadia al-Sakkaf, head of the committee, said hospitals in Aden have shut down, and international organizations have been unable to deliver aid.

Houthi rebels have attacked hospitals and schools in the country to use as war positions.

Yemeni Human Rights Minister Ezz al-Din al-Asbahi said about 9 million people are in dire need of medical services. He accused Houthi rebels of committing war crimes for shutting down journalists and news websites.

Meanwhile, at least 60 people have been killed in fighting since Monday in the province of Marib, where much of the country's oil is produced.