At least 30 Somali refugees shot dead off Yemen coastMarch 17, 2017 - 17:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - More than 30 Somali refugees including women and children have been shot dead aboard a boat in the Red Sea off the coast of war-torn Yemen, officials said Friday, March 17, according to AFP. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. The refugees were hit by light weapons fire in waters off rebel-held Hodeida but managed to dock in the city's port, an official there said. The bodies of 33 refugees were taken to hospitals where 35 wounded were also admitted, a hospital official said. The International Organization for Migration said 80 survivors were rescued and taken to hospital, including 24 in "extremely critical" condition. "Our confirmation is that there are dozens of deaths," said spokesman Joel Millman. The port official said dozens of Somalis who survived the attack, as well as three Yemeni traffickers, had been taken to the city's prison. The rebel-controlled Saba agency accused the Saudi-led coalition battling the insurgents of attacking the refugees from the air but did not provide further details. There was no immediate comment from the coalition, which has been backing pro-government forces waging an offensive from the south to retake Yemen's Red Sea coast from Huthi forces. It was unclear whether those on board were trying to leave Yemen or seek refuge there, but the IOM said it believed the boat was heading for Sudan. Despite a war that has cost more than 7,000 lives since March 2015 and brought Yemen to the brink of famine, the country continues to attract people fleeing the horn of Africa. Several refugee camps in southern Yemen are hosting Somali refugees, although not in the Hodeida area. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |