Calls for cease-fire in war-torn Yemen mount

Calls for a humanitarian pause in the ongoing conflict in Yemen mounted Saturday, with the Red Cross and Russia requesting a cease-fire to allow aid into the war-torn nation.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it is "alarmed" at the "dire humanitarian situation" in the country. "All air, land and sea routes must be opened without delay for at least 24 hours to enable help to reach people cut off after more than a week of intense airstrikes and fierce ground fighting nationwide," the committee said in a statement Saturday.

Yemen has seen an uptick in fighting in recent weeks as a Saudi-led coalition carries out airstrikes targeting rebel Houthi targets throughout the country. The campaign has been particularly focused in the capital of Sanaa — which the militants overtook in September — and the port city of Aden, where forces loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi are attempting to make a stand. The leader fled to Saudi Arabia late last month after the Houthis advanced on Aden.

The request came as Russia called an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Saturday, where it circulated a draft resolution to seek a break in the fighting. Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov told reporters a pause is "very important" to help diplomats and civilians caught in the war, according to the Associated Press.

In the past two weeks, at least 519 people have been killed and nearly 1,700 injured in the conflict, according to the United Nations. The fighting is growing increasingly complex. The airstrikes on Houthi forces help a powerful al-Qaeda terror affiliate, a rival in Yemen. Al-Qaeda is a Sunni organization, and the Houthis are Shiites.

"We urgently need an immediate halt to the fighting, to allow families in the worst affected areas, such as Aden, to venture out to get food and water, or to seek medical care," Robert Mardini, head of the group's operations in the Near and Middle East, said in a statement. "Our relief supplies and surgical personnel must be allowed to enter the country and safely reach the worst-affected places to provide help.

Otherwise, put starkly, many more people will die. For the wounded, their chances of survival depend on action within hours, not days."

Hospitals are running low on life-saving medicines and equipment, the ICRC said, and many parts of the country are dealing with fuel and water shortages as well as declining food stocks.

"Under international humanitarian law, humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach those in need. Armed forces and groups must not deliberately impede the delivery of relief supplies," the group said.

Britain's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Peter Wilson expressed regret for civilian casualties but said his nation continues to support Saudi-led military action, AP reported.

U.S. help is limited largely to surveillance and planning support. American drones provide the general location of the Houthis and other forces but not specific targeting information.