15 Civilians Killed as Saudi Warplanes Attack Yemen Cement Factory

At least 15 civilians were killed and over 20 others wounded today when Saudi warplanes carried out an airstrike against a cement factory in Amran Province, north of the capital city of Sanaa. The attack hit the front gate of the complex.

According to reports, the workers killed in the strike were lined up at the gate waiting to collect their monthly salaries. Some were also slain in the parking lot. Saudi officials have yet to comment on this most recent attack, which is expected to render the factory inoperable for some time.

It’s particularly ill-timed, however, coming just days after Saudi officials admitted they had a problem with large civilian death tolls in their air war, and claimed US and British experts had been brought in to help with targeting to prevent exactly this sort of situation.

Last week, a UN report blasted the Saudis for “systematic” targeting of civilians in territory held by Yemen’s Shi’ite Houthis, warning the incidents could amount to crimes against humanity. Saudi airstrikes have killed thousands in Yemen since March.