Coalition mistakenly hits Gulf-backed forces in Yemen, 15 killed

Warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition mistakenly hit pro-government forces in Yemen's southern province of Lahj on Monday afternoon, killing 15 and wounding 50 others, military sources told Xinhua.

The air strikes hit fighters loyal to exiled Yemeni President Abd-Rabbo Mansour Hadi in Balah area in Lahj who were advancing to besiege Shiite Houthi militia in the al-Anad air force base, killing at least 15 and wounding up to 50 others, two military officials at the scene told Xinhua by phone.

The airstrikes occurred on the first day of a five-day humanitarian truce announced by the coalition to allow the delivery of aid to the people in need. Earlier in the day, the warring sides clashed in the provinces of Taiz, Lahj, al-Dhalee and Marib.

Houthi-controlled media reported airstrikes in the northern province of Saada, the group's stronghold that borders Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition on Saturday announced a unilateral truce that came into effect at 23:59 (2059 GMT) at the request of Hadi. The previous two ceasefire were not abide by the warring sides.

The impoverished country has been rocked by four months of civil war between the Shiite Houthi group and Hadi's forces. The coalition launched airstrikes on a daily basis since March 26 when Hadi fled to Riyadh to take refuge, aiming to restore Hadi's authority in the country.

There is no sign that the warring parties intend to end the civil war and airstrikes, as the total death toll since late March has reached at least 1,693 civilians, with almost 4,000 others wounded, and one million displaced in nearly four months of violence, according to U.N. humanitarian agencies. Endit