Saudi-Led Coalition in Yemen Regrets MSF Evacuation of 6 Hospitals Amid Bombings

Saudi-led coalition command in Yemen regrets international humanitarian group the Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders, or MSF) decision to evacuate six hospitals following a recent airstrike on its facility in the country and amid overall "indiscriminate bombings" by the coalition, local media reported on Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On August 15, an airstrike partially destroyed the hospital in Hajjah run by the group, killing 14 people.

"We very much regret MSF’s decision to evacuate staff from 6 clinics in northern Yemen. We greatly value the work MSF does for the people of Yemen under difficult circumstances," the coalition said as quoted by the SPA news agency.

The coalition command also insisted that it fully respects international humanitarian law in the conduct of the operation in Yemen.

Since 2014, Yemen has been gripped by the conflict between the Sunni government and the Shia Houthi rebel movement backed by some factions within the Yemeni army.

Since March 2015, the Saudi-led coalition of mostly Persian Gulf countries has been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis at the Yemeni government's request despite a ceasefire agreed in April.