Sanaa, July 4 : An airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition hit a wedding party in Yemen's northern province of Saada on Tuesday, Killing 11 civilians and wounding 11 others, a local security official said.
The airstrike targeted the wedding ceremony in Ghafirah village of al-Thahir district, the official said, speaking to Xinhua by phone on condition of anonymity. He said most of the victims were women and children.
There is no independent confirmation of the alleged airstrike and the civilian casualties, while the Saudi-led coalition has not commented on it.
The coalition always denies targeting civilians, insisting that its airstrikes only aim at the rebels' hideouts. Saada is the key stronghold of the Iranian-allied Shiite Houthi rebels fighting the Saudi-led coalition forces.
If confirmed, the Tuesday's attack was the latest in a series of airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of civilians in Yemen.
On Monday, a coalition airstrike hit near a school in Zabid district in Yemen's western Red Sea port city of Hodeidah province, Killing three residents and injuring four others, according to official reports by both warring forces.
The impoverished Arab country has been locked in a civil war since the Houthi rebels overran much of Yemen militarily and seized all northern provinces in 2014, including the capital Sanaa.
Saudi Arabia leads an Arab military coalition that has intervened in the Yemen war since 2015 to support the government of exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
More than 10,000 Yemenis, mostly civilians, have been killed in the war, and about 3 million others have been displaced.
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Karkala: The new building complex of KMES Educational Institutions in Kukkundoor, Karkala, was inaugurated on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Shri Shri Esha Vittaladasa Swamiji of Sandipani Sadhana Ashram, Shree Kshetra, Kemaru, emphasized that education is not just about obtaining degrees but must instill human values in children. True education, he said, should unite people beyond caste and religion. He appreciated the work being done by KMES Educational Institutions in this regard.
Swamiji noted that education should be a path to self-empowerment. He said that being first in life is more important than being first on paper, and that education should help us live as better human beings.
He also highlighted the institution’s commendable work in offering free education to underprivileged children, calling it a true service to God. Swamiji acknowledged the major contribution of KS Nisar Ahmed and KS Imtiaz Ahmed in helping to purchase the land needed for the school from the Math, and praised their generous spirit.
Former Minister and MLA V. Sunil Kumar inaugurated the new high school building. He noted that the institution has been doing significant work in education for many years. He added that education should shape our lives, and as a result, the institution itself should grow. He said that the school is now providing quality education to the children of Karkala, and a conducive learning environment has been created.
He also acknowledged the immense contribution of KS Nisar Ahmed in the growth of the institution since its inception. He recalled that Ahmed has supported many initiatives in Karkala, including the construction and donation of an oxygen plant to the government hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant contribution to the town.
The renovated primary school building was inaugurated by Al Haj K.S. Mohammed Masood, former Chairman of the State Minorities Commission and President of the Muslim Central Committee. The auditorium was inaugurated by Dr. Kirthinath Ballal, Associate Professor at Manipal Kasturba Medical College and Chief Medical Officer at Dr. T.M.A. Pai Rotary Hospital, Karkala.
The renovated PUC building was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Wallace Prajwal Aranha S.V.D., a priest of the U.S. Chicago Province Society of the Divine Word. The computer lab building was inaugurated by Maulana Abdul Hafeez Al Qasimi of Attur Al Hawwa Mosque. The principal’s office was inaugurated by businessman K.S. Fazal Rahman, brother of K.S. Nissar Ahmed.
The library building was inaugurated by Udaya Kumar Shetty Muniyalu, President of the Udaya Krishnaiah Shetty Charitable Trust. The teachers' room was inaugurated by Balakrishna, head of the Karkala District Education Officer's Office. The primary school computer lab was inaugurated by Usha K., President of Kukkundoor Grama Samiti. The headmaster’s room was inaugurated by college alumnus and Miss Karnataka Style Icon Apeksha V. Hegde.
During the event, Shaukat Azeem Karkala, a college alumnus who secured the 345th rank in the UPSC examination, was felicitated. Students who achieved various accomplishments and ranks, along with individuals who have long served the institution, were also honoured.
K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed, President of KMES Educational Institutions, delivered the introductory speech. Lolita Zeena D’Silva, Headmistress of the Primary School, welcomed the gathering. The vote of thanks was proposed by in-charge Principal Patkar. Teachers Nalini Acharya and Prakash Nayak compered the programme.
K.S. Nisar Ahmed Deserves a National Award
Speaking at the event, K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed stated that KMES Educational Institutions, which started in 1984 in a small room of an Urdu school, have grown significantly due to the support of many people. However, the unwavering encouragement, support, and cooperation of K.S. Nisar Ahmed have made him the backbone of the institution. Without his involvement, it would not have been possible to sustain the school.
He emphasized that it was Nisar Ahmed’s determination that rural poor children should receive quality education. Because of this commitment, the institution has provided free education to underprivileged children. Thousands of students educated here now hold respected positions in society as doctors, engineers, politicians, police officers, and IAS officers.
K.S. Nisar Ahmed has not only supported educational causes but has extended his help to people of all communities, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians alike. He has financially supported temples, helped poor children get married, built homes, and provided vehicles. His service to society is done without any publicity, and for this, he deserves a national award.