Humanitarian crisis worsening in Yemen

The United Nations and international rights groups have warned about the disastrous situation of Yemeni civilians who have been displaced by a government offensive on the country's north.

The International Committee of the Red Cross warned on Wednesday that tens of thousands of people are trapped in north Yemen as the government continues its offensive against Houthi fighters in the region, UPI reported.

"Tens of thousands of people remain out of reach, however, because of intense fighting and poor security," said Jean-Nicolas Marti, the ICRC's head of delegation in Yemen.

"Unless more is done to protect civilians and enable them to receive life-saving aid, the situation will worsen further," she added.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Yemen Red Crescent have reached more than 100,000 people since the fighting escalated in August, but have warned that tens of thousands remain at risk as winter approaches.

Thousands of civilians have been displaced from their homes since the government launched Operation Scorched Earth in August, triggering fierce battles in the northern provinces.