Roundup: Death toll in Yemen's Aden rises to 195 amid worsening humanitarian crisis

At least 195 have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded since the beginning of fighting in Yemen's Aden in late March, the port city's health authorities said Sunday.

On Saturday night, warships of the Saudi-led coalition forces shelled several military sites held by Shiite Houthi militia inside Aden. There was no immediate report of casualties.

"The fighting still continues in Mu'alla district of Aden as dozens of Houthi gunmen attempted to seize full control over Aden port," a military source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Ahmed Fahd, an Aden government official, told Xinhua by phone that "the humanitarian situation deteriorates day after day in Aden as fighting still continues in several areas. And we called for an urgent humanitarian aid but till now no responses from the organizations."

"The capacity of hospitals in Aden are full. Many injured people cannot receive treatment due to medicine shortages. Many families suffer as their houses were bombarded," Fahd said.

Several senior officials in Aden have pointed out that it is the local residents who have suffered most in the fighting.

The warring sides seemed to use water as a weapon of war. Aden residents said the ongoing fighting has destroyed the main water supply system and four districts have had no access to water and electricity for four days.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for a 24-hour pause of violence to bring in humanitarian aid and medical help for the Yemeni people.

In a statement obtained by Xinhua, the ICRC said it is alarmed by the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen and suggests that all air, land and sea routes be opened without delay for at least 24 hours to enable help to reach the stranded people.

"We urgently need an immediate halt to the fighting, to allow families in the worst affected areas, such as Aden, to venture out to get food and water, or to seek medical care," the statement said, citing Robert Mardini, head of the ICRC's operations in the Near and Middle East.

"Our relief supplies and surgical personnel must be allowed to enter the country and safely reach the worst-affected places to provide help. Otherwise, put starkly, many more people will die. For the wounded, their chances of survival depend on action within hours, not days," it added. Endi