REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BRUSSELS -- The European Union expressed concern Tuesday at civilian deaths in Yemen after days of Saudi-led air strikes against rebel forces including one that killed scores at a displaced persons camp.

"We are extremely concerned about the impact of the fighting in Yemen which has terrible consequences for the population," a spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement.

"The news of civilian casualties is distressing."

The 28-nation bloc said it had learned with "strong concern" of Monday's airstrike on the Al-Mazrak camp in Hajja province in which aid workers said at least 40 people had been killed.

"We call on all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians, that civilian infrastructure is not directly targeted," it said.

A Saudi-led Arab coalition has been pounding Shiite rebel positions in Yemen since early Thursday.

Mogherini said last week that military action was "not a solution" to Yemen's problems and warned of regional risks, calling on regional players to negotiate a peace settlement.

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