The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned than an acute shortage in medical supplies is putting at risk life-saving services in Yemen's Taiz Governorate, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Friday.

"In Taiz, the World Health Organization warns that shortages of fuel, oxygen, medicines, medical supplies are threatening life-saving services for people," Dujarric said during a press briefing.

The spokesman highlighted that in the city of Taiz alone, the number of health care facilities reporting severe shortages is now exceeding 40 with impacts to the system extending to maternal and newborn care.

"[Shortages are] putting emergency surgery, dialysis, intensive care, and any patients, including maternal and newborn and services for newborn, at increasing risk," Dujarric continued.

The situation in Yemen escalated in mid-July when Saudi-backed pro-government forces struck the capital's airport as a plane from Iran, carrying a delegation of the leaders of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, was landing. The movement blamed Riyadh for the attack and declared war on the kingdom, announcing a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia.

@Sputnik