Yemen: On December 12, over the years 2015, 2016, and 2018, the US-Saudi coalition deliberately committed war crimes and acts of genocide. These atrocities were carried out through brutal airstrikes targeting homes, fishing boats, infrastructure, shops, and vehicles in the Yemeni provinces of Hodeidah, Sana’a, Taiz, and Hajjah.

These attacks resulted in 8 fatalities, 28 injuries, widespread destruction, and significant losses, depriving dozens of families of their shelters and sources of livelihood. They also left many without breadwinners, terrified local communities, triggered waves of displacement, and blocked access to food and medical supplies, worsening living conditions and creating unimaginable humanitarian suffering in Yemen.

Below are the details of the events on this tragic day:

2015: 15 Casualties as Coalition Airstrikes Target Fishermen in Hodeidah

On December 12, 2015, the US-Saudi aggression added another war crime to its record, targeting fishing boats in Al-Khawkhah city, Hodeidah. The airstrikes killed 5 fishermen and injured 10 others, paralyzing fishing activities, worsening the suffering of their families, and creating an atmosphere of sorrow and fear.

In the early hours of that ill-fated day, the peaceful whispers of the sea were shattered by deafening explosions from coalition airstrikes. Fishermen, merely seeking a livelihood to feed their families, found themselves victims of merciless missile strikes.

Boats turned into blazing wreckage, dreams transformed into nightmares, and the ocean that once promised sustenance became a graveyard for the fallen. Families mourned their loved ones as flames and smoke rose over the devastated harbor. The economic toll was immense as fishing was brought to a standstill, leaving families without their primary source of income.

2015: Seven Injured and Homes Destroyed in Taiz

On the same day, airstrikes struck civilian homes in the village of Dimnat Khadir, Taiz. The attacks injured seven civilians, including women and children, and caused widespread destruction, leaving families displaced and traumatized.

Residents described waking up to explosions that turned their once peaceful village into ruins. Screams of women and children filled the air as families scrambled to rescue loved ones buried under rubble.

 2015: Lifeline Between Houth and Haradh Cut in Hajjah

In another attack that day, the coalition targeted the Baqit Bridge in Al-Abaisa, Kushar district, Hajjah. This critical bridge, linking the regions of Houth and Haradh, was destroyed, isolating the area and cutting off access to essential humanitarian aid and supplies.

2016: Seven Civilian Casualties at Al-Sabeen Square, Sana’a

In 2016, the coalition struck Al-Sabeen Square in Sana’a, killing three civilians and injuring four others. The square, often a venue for public celebrations, became a symbol of Yemen’s resilience, as it repeatedly endured destruction.

2018: Seven Injured in Hodeidah as Airstrikes Target a Scrap Metal Shop

In 2018, coalition airstrikes hit a scrap metal shop owned by Mohammed Abdulqader on 7th July Street in Hodeidah. The attack injured seven workers and caused extensive damage to nearby properties.

These crimes on December 12 represent just a fraction of the atrocities committed during the nine years of coalition aggression against Yemen. They underscore the coalition’s systematic targeting of civilians, infrastructure, and livelihoods, leaving an indelible scar on the Yemeni people.

The international community must hold the perpetrators accountable and act decisively to end the suffering in Yemen. Despite the immense hardships, the Yemeni people remain steadfast, determined to reclaim their land and sovereignty.