Missile attacks in the residential area of Rawdah Jadidah in Marib governorate, Yemen, on Sunday 3 October, have injured multiple people, and killed at least four, including two young children, said Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

MSF staff working in the emergency department of Marib General Hospital, in conjunction with other hospital staff, treated 14 people; eight of whom were in a critical condition, while four arrived at the hospital deceased.

Almost all patients received at the hospital were civilians, including women and children. Our teams received two children who died of their injuries. Among the injured people treated were a pregnant woman with blast injures to her chest; a child with multiple shrapnel wounds; and a two-month-old baby with a traumatic brain injury. The pregnant woman and baby were later transferred to another hospital that specialises in maternal and paediatric care, for further treatment.

“MSF is deeply concerned over impact of the recent clashes in Marib Governorate on civilians,” said Allen Murphy, MSF’s project coordinator in Marib. “After nearly seven years of conflict, yesterday’s missile attacks are yet another example of the appalling effects of the conflict on the people of Yemen.”

“We strongly urge the warring parties to avoid any injuries or deaths to people during the ongoing clashes in Marib, as well as in future,” said Murphy.

Marib is currently witnessing a new, intense wave of conflict in the city and surroundings. Over the past two weeks, the Marib General Hospital has received hundreds of war-wounded patients. We call on the warring parties to respect International Humanitarian Law that ensures the safety of civilians during conflict.
 
Before the start of the conflict, Marib was home to almost 400,000 people, according to local authorities. Now, it hosts nearly 2.7 million people, including those who are internally displaced and many who have been displaced on several occasions. The recent escalation of violence could risk forcing more people into displacement and increase the already unmet humanitarian needs in terms of shelter, food, water, protection and healthcare.