The United States is expressing concern over the civilian casualties of Saudi-led bombing raids against rebels in Yemen.  And UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling for an immediate halt to the fighting in Yemen, which he says was already in crisis before the hostilities started.

In his first appeal for peace since the Sunni Saudis began bombing Shiite Muslim Houthi rebels three weeks ago, Ban pointed out that Yemen is the poorest of Middle East nations, with food insecurity issues even worse than the poorest parts of Africa.  The fighting, he says, only makes it worse.

“That is why I am calling for an immediate ceasefire in Yemen by all the parties,” Ban said in Washington, asking for a diplomatic peace process.  “The Saudis have assured me that they understand that there must be a political process. I call on all Yemenis to participate in good faith.”

The Saudi bombing raids is backed by US intelligence, mid-air refueling, and other support services.  But Washington is increasingly worried over the fact that the attacks don’t appear to be at all effective – the Houthis have not been dislodged from their territory and are still fighting to expand. 

The Pentagon is privately worried about where the Saudi bombs are falling.  The UN this week said that “dozens of public buildings” – including hospitals, schools, residential areas, and mosques – have been hit.  At least 364 civilians have been killed in the campaign.

What’s more, the Saudis are bombing only the Houthi, Shiite Muslims whom Riyadh sees as proxies for Iran.  The Saudis are not bombing al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), allowing what is perhaps the most vicious of al Qaeda affiliates to expand in the chaos.