Saudi Airstrikes Target Homes Near Yemen Capital Leaving 33 Dead
At least 33 people were killed and 39 wounded after Saudi airstrikes hit residential areas near Sanaa, as conflict in Yemen intensifies.
POLICY WIRE — Sanaa, Yemen — A series of Saudi aerial strikes targeting a town near the Yemeni capital on Saturday has resulted in at least 33 fatalities and 39 injuries, according to reports from the Saba news agency.
This incident represents one of the most lethal instances of violence since the Saudi-led coalition resumed hostilities against Ansarullah—widely known as the Houthis—back in July.
In response to the strikes, the Saudi Centre for International Communication stated that officials are currently investigating the report.
The resurgence in violence has effectively dismantled a UN-brokered truce from 2022. Saudi Arabia has utilized airstrikes throughout Yemen while providing military support to local allies pushing against Ansarullah positions.
Concurrently, Ansarullah has responded with drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi oil infrastructure, airports, and military bases. They have also executed rapid counter-attacks against Saudi-backed ground forces, seizing territory and expanding their influence over the Bab el Mandeb maritime chokepoint.
The conflict continues to escalate as Saudi-backed forces battle for control of the strategic city of Taiz.
The health ministry in Sanaa reported that the Sunday attacks struck residential buildings in Bani Hushaish, noting that the vast majority of the victims were children and women.
Anees Alasbahi, a spokesperson for the ministry, informed Al-Masirah TV that many individuals remained trapped under debris. He noted that secondary strikes hit emergency responders as they attempted to rescue survivors.
Visuals shared by Al-Masirah TV depicted medical staff transporting the bodies of young children from ambulances. One image showed a young girl with a severe head injury, while other children were treated on stretchers.
Abdul-Aziz al-Dailami, the director of Sehatuna Hospital, told Reuters that strikes occurred precisely as rescuers arrived. He confirmed the loss of some medical personnel and stated that many patients arrived in critical condition with fractures and injuries to the chest, head and legs.
The current fighting has revived a 12-year war characterized as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian disasters. The UN estimates the conflict has claimed at least 150,000 lives due to violence, disease, and starvation.
The International Organization for Migration reported that over 200,000 people have been displaced since the most recent round of fighting began.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)>
