MORE than a dozen children were killed and many more injured after a suspected Saudi airstrike detonated near two schools in Yemen, the aid charity UNICEF has claimed.

They said at least 30 children were caught up in the terror in Sana - with 14 being killed and the remainder left "critically" injured.

Close to 100 other people are thought to have been injured.

In all, aid workers say, some 400 children have already been killed and seriously injured in the region since the start of this year.

Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement, that they had mobilised specialist teams into the area to try and assist.

He told the media: "“A blast in Sana’a this week killed 14 children and critically injured 16.

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"This is what UNICEF was able to verify, with the actual number of children killed and injured likely to increase.

“The critically injured children, many of whom are fighting for their lives, are now in hospitals in Sana’a. Most are under the age of nine. One girl succumbed to her injuries yesterday morning."

He said it happened while children would have been getting ready for their class breaks.

He said: “The incident occurred near two schools."

“It was almost lunch time and students were in class. The blast shattered the windows and unleashed a burst of shrapnel and broken glass into the classrooms.

“It is hard to imagine the sheer horror that those children experienced – and the sheer horror and guilt parents may feel for having done what every parent aspires to - sending their children to school."

And he went on: “Killing and maiming children are grave violations of children’s rights.

“Yesterday’s blast is another reminder that even schools are not safe in Yemen. One in five schools can no longer be used as a direct result of the conflict. Some came under direct attack, while others are being used for military purposes.

"For more than two million children in Yemen today, going to school is a faraway dream! Yesterday’s blast may further discourage parents from sending their children to school.

“In the past 24 hours, UNICEF mobilized lifesaving assistance to affected children and families, including providing psychosocial support, covering surgery and medical treatment costs and giving assistance to families for travel to be with their children as they receive care.”

Houthi rebels who seized control of Yemen's largest city in 2014 are are aligned to the Iranian regime, put the blame on a spate of air strikes at the door of the Saudi-led coalition who deny targeting children. The country remains on the brink of famine, despite talks to try and find a breakthrough to allow food to reach starving millions.