Heavy fightings in Aden, Yemen have occurred between various armed groups, principally forces loyal to President Hadi opposing the southern separatist movement, resulting in multiple casualties. In the space of a few hours, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams have admitted 51 wounded people to their hospital; 10 people were dead on arrival, said MSF in a note.

“It’s total chaos here. There was fighting in the city all day yesterday (the 28th of August, ndr),” says Caroline Seguin, MSF programme manager for Yemen, who is currently in Aden. “Things appear to have calmed down a bit this morning, but we expect the hostilities to resume at any point.”

The MSF hospital currently has 80 patients admitted. A neighbourhood near the hospital was targeted in an international coalition airstrike in the early evening.

“This is the third huge influx of wounded people in three weeks,” says Seguin. “At this point it’s difficult to establish which groups control which of Aden’s neighbourhoods. The airport and the area around it are closed and there’s a real risk of being trapped by the fighting.”

Since war broke out in March 2015, MSF facilities have been hit six times, five of them were by airstrikes launched by the coalition.

“Our teams are standing by to receive more wounded,” says Seguin. “Yet again we’ve informed the various armed groups and the coalition we’re in the hospital and where it’s located.”

The fighting in Aden is principally between forces loyal to President Hadi and troops from the southern separatist movement, the Southern Transition Council. Although allies in their combat against Ansar Allah in northern Yemen, during the past few weeks they have been fighting each other for control of governorates in the south.

Between 9 and 12 August, Aden had been transformed into a battlefield. MSF teams at the hospital admitted a continuous influx of wounded people and provided treatment to 119 patients in less than 24 hours.

Violent clashes have also erupted in Abyan and Shabwah governorates where MSF provides support to the health system with donations of drugs, supplies and equipment.

Photo: Aden, Yemen. Government forces attack. 28th August 2019. ©Photoshot/Sintesi