UN: Saudi blockade hindering aid delivery to starving Yemenis

The United Nations has said that Saudi Arabia’s decision to shut down Yemen’s air, sea and land borders has prevented the UN from sending aid to the war-torn country.

The United Nations has said that Saudi Arabia’s decision to shut down Yemen’s air, sea and land borders has prevented the UN from sending aid to the war-torn country.

“There were no flight clearances granted to our flights today…We expected to have two flights going and those are on hold for now,” said UN spokesman Farhan Haq on Monday.

He added that UN officials are currently trying to persuade the Saudis to permit aid delivery to Yemen, where some seven million people are suffering from severe malnutrition.

On Sunday, the kingdom announced that it is shutting down all Yemen’s air, sea, and land border, after Yemen targeted an international airport near the Saudi capital.