The Saudi-led coalition launched new airstrikes Saturday against Shi’ite Houthi insurgents in Yemen’s southern port city of Aden, killing at least 22 people.

Riyadh’s coalition carried out its aerial bombardment for the 17th straight day, with the fighting threatening to turn Yemen into a failed state. Local armed groups have resisted the southward advance of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, but the insurgents have taken control of key government facilities.

Meanwhile, tribesmen and warships believed to be from the coalition are poised to take over the eastern city of Ataq where Houthis and soldiers loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh have gathered.

The Red Cross delivered nearly 36 tons of medical aid, water purifying equipment and generators Saturday to the rebel-held Yemeni capital, Sana’a, the second successive day of such deliveries.  

The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Johannes Van der Klaauw, told reporters in Geneva that a pause in the fighting of at least a few hours a day is desperately needed so more medical aid and other humanitarian assistance can reach Yemen. He called the situation in Aden “extremely, extremely preoccupying if not catastrophic.”

On Friday, Arab coalition air strikes targeted weapons storage sites used by the Houthis in Sana’a.

Witnesses say the strikes hit the Defense Ministry and other facilities, including a military camp believed to be controlled by pro-Saleh rebel forces.   

The rebels are seeking to capture Aden as they battle forces supporting the country’s internationally backed president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who recently fled Yemen for Saudi Arabia.

A U.S. Defense Department spokesman said Friday that Aden is “contested” but there is no question the Houthis control a large portion of the city.

In another development Friday, Doctors Without Borders said it has treated more than 800 wounded people across Yemen since March 19.  It said the majority of those people have received treatment in Aden.

Separately, the parliament of Pakistan — a predominantly Sunni state that borders Iran — voted Friday to not join the coalition.  Lawmakers instead unanimously backed a resolution urging a negotiated end to the violence.

The fighting has created a humanitarian crisis with more than 600 people killed and 100,000 forced to flee their homes.  There is also a reported shortage of medical and other basic supplies in some areas.

The airstrikes so far have failed to stop the Houthi rebel advance across the country.
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