Airstrikes on the village of al-Shariya near the Yemeni capital Sanaa killed at least 22 people on Saturday, according to the Health Ministry for Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The ministry stated that at least 30 additional individuals suffered injuries in the attack.
Casualties and Allegations
Ministry spokesperson Anees Alasbahi told the Associated Press that Saudi Arabia carried out the military strikes. In a post on X, he explained that the bombardment targeted several residential homes. The Houthi-linked Al-Masirah broadcaster aired footage of the incident, displaying piles of debris and injured people receiving treatment in a hospital. Saudi Arabia did not provide an immediate comment regarding the reported strikes.
Conflict Background
The Iran-backed Houthis have maintained control over Sanaa and extensive portions of western and northern Yemen since the civil war began in 2014. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia provides backing to the internationally recognized government based in Aden. A prolonged truce collapsed during the summer, followed by Houthi offensives that captured additional territory along the Red Sea coast in September, encompassing the port city of Mokha and strategic islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The rebel faction has additionally launched attacks against targets inside Saudi Arabia, including oil facilities, military infrastructure, and shipping in the Red Sea. According to United Nations figures, more than 1,600 people have died and over 300,000 have been displaced since the escalation of hostilities.
Recent Clashes and Interceptions
Pro-government media reported on Saturday that Yemeni government forces successfully repelled a Houthi assault on the al-Aqroud front located in the contested Taiz province of southwestern Yemen. Additionally, Saudi-led coalition forces stated they intercepted a missile launched by the Houthis toward the Riyadh province in Saudi Arabia. On Friday, an airstrike targeting a market in southern Yemen resulted in at least 30 deaths, as reported by Houthi officials, with both the Houthis and Yemeni government forces blaming each other for the attack.
