DUBAI: A Yemeni hospital run by medical aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) was hit by a Saudi-led air strike, the group said on Tuesday, another bombing of a civilian target in the seven-month air campaign in Yemen.

"MSF facility in Saada Yemen was hit by several airstrikes last night with patients and staff inside the facility," the group said in a tweet on Tuesday.

Tweet from MSF International's official page

Yemen's state news agency Saba, run by Houthi group quoted the Heedan hospital director saying that several people were injured in the attack.

“The air raids resulted in the destruction of the entire hospital with all that was inside - devices and medical supplies - and the moderate wounding of several people,” Doctor Ali Mughli said.

The Saudi-led coalition, however, claimed that its planes had not bombed the hospital run by the medical aid group.

When he was asked if coalition jets had hit the hospital, Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri said in an electronic message: “Not at all.”

Asseri said that coalition jets had been in action in Saada governorate, however. When asked if he knew what had caused the blast, Asseri said: “We cannot tell without investigation.”

Saba said other air strikes hit a nearby girls school and damaged several civilian homes.

It was not immediately possible to confirm that report, and a coalition spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab countries intevened in a civil war in Yemen in late March, but seven months of air attacks to restore the Saudi-based Yemeni government to power have yet to loosen the Houthis' grip over the capital Sanaa.

Human rights groups have expressed concern at the mounting deaths caused by the aerial bombing and ground fighting raging across the impoverished country.

More than 5,600 people have died in the conflict and shuttle diplomacy by a United Nations envoy has yet to win a political solution or slow the pace of combat.

It is the second time this month that an MSF facility has been hit a war zone. Its hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz was bombed by U.S. forces on Oct. 3 and about 30 people were killed.

Also read: US military air strike hits MSF hospital in Kunduz

Opinion

Editorial

Tough talks
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Tough talks

The key to unlocking fresh IMF funds lies in convincing the lender that Pakistan is now ready to undertake real reforms.
Caught unawares
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Caught unawares

The government must prioritise the upgrading of infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.
Going off track
16 Apr, 2024

Going off track

LIKE many other state-owned enterprises in the country, Pakistan Railways is unable to deliver, while haemorrhaging...
Iran’s counterstrike
Updated 15 Apr, 2024

Iran’s counterstrike

Israel, by attacking Iran’s diplomatic facilities and violating Syrian airspace, is largely responsible for this dangerous situation.
Opposition alliance
15 Apr, 2024

Opposition alliance

AFTER the customary Ramazan interlude, political activity has resumed as usual. A ‘grand’ opposition alliance ...
On the margins
15 Apr, 2024

On the margins

IT appears that we are bent upon taking the majoritarian path. Thus, the promise of respect and equality for the...