Saudi Arabia warns UN, aid workers to leave rebel-held areas in Yemen

Saudi Arabia, which is leading air strikes against rebels in neighboring Yemen, has warned the United Nations and international aid groups to protect staff by removing them from areas held by Yemen's Houthi rebels, according to a letter that was seen by Reuters on Feb. 11. 

The short note sent by the Saudi Embassy in London on Feb. 12 said the intention was to "protect the international organizations and their employees," presumably from coalition air strikes. 

The Saudi ambassador to the United Nations in New York, Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, told Reuters that Riyadh sent the letter because, "We're just concerned for the safety of the U.N. staff and their humanitarian agencies." 

"We want them to go away from areas that are obvious targets," he said. 

Saudi Arabia leads a coalition of nine Arab countries that began a military campaign in March to prevent Iran-allied Houthi rebels from taking complete control of Yemen. 

U.N. aid chief Stephen O'Brien acknowledged receipt of the note in a Feb. 7 letter seen by Reuters and said the humanitarian community would continue to deliver aid across Yemen impartially on the basis of need. 
He reminded Saudi Arabia of obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate access for aid. 

The Saudi mission to the United Nations responded on Feb. 8 that Riyadh would "do its utmost to continue to facilitate and support" humanitarian aid work in Yemen, while also repeating its request for U.N. and international aid workers to leave areas close to Houthi bases for military operations. 

"The coalition's request is consistent with its obligations under international humanitarian law and, in no way, can be misinterpreted to indicate any hindrance to humanitarian...