Yemen: The US-Saudi aggression deliberately committed war crimes on January 5 in both 2016 and 2019 through brutal airstrikes and internationally banned cluster bombs. These attacks targeted homes, schools, a care center for the blind and orphans, gas stations, residential areas, infrastructure, and playgrounds in Yemen’s governorates of Sana’a, Sa'adah, Hajjah, and Hodeidah.

The attacks resulted in seven deaths and 34 injuries, including children and women, while causing widespread destruction to public and private property. Dozens of families were displaced, reflecting clear targeting of civilians and civilian facilities, in blatant disregard of international laws and conventions.

Details of the Incidents

2016: 3 Injured in Airstrikes on Sana’a

On January 5, 2016, the US-Saudi coalition added another war crime to its record by targeting the Al-Noor Center for the Blind and Orphans, a community hall, the Chamber of Commerce building, and residential homes in Sana’a.

These strikes left homes, infrastructure, and charitable centers in ruins, turning them into military targets for an aggressor with no distinction between civilian and military objectives.

The attack on the Al-Noor Center drew widespread condemnation from political entities and international humanitarian organizations in Yemen. They called on the United Nations to investigate the incident and hold perpetrators accountable.

The incident inflicted deep psychological trauma on children and staff, leaving permanent scars in their lives.

2016: A Mother and Her Two Children Killed in Sa'adah

On the same day in Sa'adah Governorate, coalition airstrikes targeted a civilian home in the Asa’ya region, killing a mother and her two children. Witnesses described how the woman tried to shield her children during the attack, but all three perished.

The strikes extended to civilian infrastructure, including a gas station in Sahar District, compounding the suffering of local families. Black smoke filled the air as residents described the scenes of destruction and terror.

2016: Cluster Bombs in Sa'adah

The coalition also deployed internationally banned cluster munitions in Qa’tabir District, Sa'adah, targeting a public road and endangering the lives of residents. Unexploded ordnance from these bombs continues to pose a threat to civilians, creating long-term risks for communities.

2019: 8 Casualties, Including 4 Children, in Hajjah

In Hajjah Governorate’s Mustaba District, coalition airstrikes turned a children’s playground into a scene of tragedy. Five people, including four children, were killed, and three others sustained severe injuries.

Parents searching for their children among the rubble were met with a harrowing scene. The playground, meant for joy and laughter, became a symbol of grief and despair.

2019: 26 Injured in Hodeidah

In Hodeidah, indiscriminate shelling by coalition mercenaries injured 26 civilians, including women and children, in the districts of Al-Hawak and Al-Hali. The attacks caused significant damage to homes and farms, displacing numerous families.

Victims decried the violations of the ceasefire agreement and called on international observers to address the ongoing assaults.

The continued targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure represents flagrant war crimes. These crimes demand urgent international action to stop the war, lift the blockade, and ensure justice for Yemen’s victims.

The voices of Yemen’s orphans, children, and displaced families echo worldwide, calling for justice, peace, and an end to their suffering. Will the world remain silent in the face of these atrocities?