Red Cross prevented from arriving in Yemen

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, April 6 (UPI) -- A Red Cross humanitarian mission to Yemen was delayed by logistical issues stemming from reluctance of carriers to fly into the combat zone in the capital, Sanaa.

Permission to land planes carrying staff and essential medicines was given by the Saudi-led coalition directing airstrikes at the Houthi rebels, who overtook the Yemeni government, and are in control of much of the country. However, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) spokeswoman Claire Feghali, said the ICRC cannot find a transport company willing to make the trip. Nearly 48 tons of supplies await delivery, which Feghali said would likely be sent within 48 hours.

Municipalities across Yemen report shortages of food, water, electricity and medicine. The conflict between Houthi rebels, believed to be backed by Iran, and a 10-nation coalition helping local militias loyal to exiled President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi with airstrikes, has claimed at least 500 lives thus far, the United Nations reported last week.

The ICRC said a team of surgeons would be sent to Aden, the port city and last pro-Hadi stronghold, where battles for control are underway but it would take "authorizations from all the parties involved" before they could arrive.

A spokesman for the coalition said in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that arrangements were made for a single Red Cross delivery on Sunday, but the ICRC withdrew from the arrangement, citing safety concerns.

Peace talks, brokered by the United Nations, have failed but Sunday Houthi spokesmen said they would reopen negotiations if the coalition ended its aerial bombing.