Yemen calls for coalition to send ground troops

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Yemen’s foreign minister called Wednesday, April 1, for a Saudi-led military coalition targeting Shiite rebels in his country to send ground troops.

“Yes I’m calling for this (ground forces) because I think at some stage air strikes will be ineffective,” Riyadh Yassin told Agence France-Presse during an interview in the Saudi capital where he has taken refuge along with President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

His appeal coincided with warnings from aid groups about a brewing humanitarian crisis and civilian casualties in Yemen, where the coalition began air strikes a week ago.

Yassin said ground forces would cause “less civilian casualties” but added that the main reason he was proposing a land operation was to enable aid deliveries.

“I am suggesting to start as soon as possible,” he added.

“We don’t have a safe place from where they can operate,” he said of the aid groups.

The spokesman for the coalition said Tuesday, March 31, that “so far there is no need for land intervention” in Yemen, adding that the need might arise “at any time.” – Rappler.com