U.N. says services on ‘brink of collapse’ in Yemen

The U.N. secretary-general is raising the alarm on Yemen, saying more than 1,200 have been killed and that the country’s health, water and telecommunications systems are “on the brink of collapse.”

A statement Thursday from Ban Ki-moon’s office repeats his call for an immediate ceasefire, or at least humanitarian pauses, as a Saudi-led coalition continues airstrikes against a rebel group that is supported by Iran.

The statement says the fighting has “severely blocked shipments of food, fuel and health care” and all airports are closed to civilian flights.

The statement warns that already challenged humanitarian operations in the Arab world’s poorest country will end within days unless fuel imports return.

Ban is urging all parties to protect civilians and immediately end attacks on hospitals and health centers.