The Saudi strikes against the Islamist Houthis have killed thousands of civilians so far. The total amount of casualties recorded by the UN from the start of the conflict to date is of more than 5,000 deaths, half of them civilians.
Comment: 5,000 deaths are 'irreparable damage.'
โA Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out a military campaign in neighboring Yemen since March 2015, after large swaths of the country fell under the control of the Houthis โ a religious-political extremist group hostile to the Saudis. The Gulf Kingdom, together with Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and other Middle Eastern and North African countries launched a series of airstrikes on the Houthi-held areas, besides imposing an air and naval blockade of the country. From the very beginning, the US and the UK provided the coalition with military support.
The UN has tried to convince the belligerents to engage in negotiations since June 2015, but the efforts have failed repeatedly, until a first ceasefire was agreed on last December. Now the parties will attempt to come to an arrangement again, although it will be tricky: Yemen, backed by Saudi Arabia, demands that the Houthis leave all the cities they currently occupy, and that they accept to be disarmed afterwards. The Houthis, on the other hand, want to be granted more representation in the country's government.
I'm wondering what this roughly 'translates' to in Saudi speak. So, I'll guess. With a little poetic licence, of course:
"Lets stop fighting because we're running out of money, we're looking like war mongering jerks to the rest of the world, and for very little return. Besides, I broke a finger nail and my robe is all mussed up." Continuing on: " Who's idea was this any way? Maybe we should pick on him? We can have a head chopping session later." "What's Wahhabi for Allah Akbar?"