Yemen War News Updates -- July 30, 2015

Wall Street Journal: Yemen Fighting Spreads as Cease-Fire Falters

Airstrikes and ground clashes have continued, dimming prospects for political solution.

SAN’A, Yemen—Despite a five-day humanitarian cease-fire by a Saudi-led military coalition, violence has proliferated in Yemen, further dimming prospects for an imminent political solution.

The Saudi coalition has been targeting Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels with airstrikes since March, and said it would continue to respond to provocations by the Houthis when it declared the truce on Sunday. The Houthis say they never agreed to abide by the cease-fire. Strikes and clashes on the ground have continued in the lead-up to the cease-fire’s expiration on Friday night.

“There was no cease-fire at all,” said Ahmad al-Babily, a resident of the capital, San’a. “If the humanitarian cease-fire was aimed at bringing aid to Yemen, we have not seen any aid in San’a.”

Yemen War News Updates -- July 30, 2015

Yemeni forces seize Houthi positions on Aden outskirts: local officials -- Reuters
Saudi-led coalition plans ground attacks in Yemen after taking key city -- Washington Post
Yemeni forces seize Huthi positions on Aden outskirts: local officials -- i24 News
First aim is to restore Yemeni government in Aden, Sanaa later - Arab-led bloc -- Reuters
Yemen Leader Moves to Unify Fractured Fighting Force -- WSJ
Yemen's President Orders Militias Merged Into His Forces -- AP
Civilians and hospitals targeted in Yemen air strikes, warns medical charity -- The Guardian
WHO says nearly 4,000 killed in Yemen since late March -- Press TV
Lack of Pause in Yemen War Delays Aid -- NYT
Yemen conflict has pushed six million people to the brink of starvation, Oxfam warns -- The Independent
6.5 Million People at Risk of Starvation in Yemen -- Newsweek
Yemen: Iran Backed Rebels In Retreat -- Strategy page