Sana'a: On this day in history, March 20, a series of airstrikes and shelling by the US-Saudi-Emirati coalition resulted in significant casualties and destruction across various governorates in Yemen. The incidents left numerous citizens, including women and children, dead and injured, while also causing extensive damage to public and private property.
According to Yemen News Agency, the events of March 20, 2016, marked a particularly devastating day when airstrikes targeted the Al-Dabab area in Taiz governorate. Four women and two children lost their lives, and multiple homes suffered damage. Additional airstrikes in the Bahaybah area and Jabal Habashi district resulted in injuries to citizens and further destruction of properties.
The aggression continued with artillery and rocket shelling on 26 September Street in Taiz city, leading to the deaths of four citizens and injuries to others. In Saada governorate, two citizens were wounded due to a cluster bomb explosion. The Al-Hafa area in Al-Sabeen district and Al-Mahyoub market also faced airstrikes, causing severe damage to homes and commercial establishments.
In Al-Jawf governorate, extensive airstrikes were conducted on several areas, including Al-Matoon and Sadba, while a poultry farm in Ibb governorate was destroyed. Sana'a governorate witnessed the destruction of homes in the Baran area, and agricultural lands were damaged in Arhab district.
On March 20, 2017, cluster munitions injured three women and a girl in the Ramada area in Sana'a governorate. Airstrikes in Majz district in Saada governorate injured six citizens, and various districts experienced significant damage to properties due to continued airstrikes.
The aggression persisted in 2018, with airstrikes targeting the Tahmas and Deir Al-Sharif areas in Al-Mahwit governorate, causing damage to homes and farms. Similar incidents occurred in 2019 and 2020, with shelling and airstrikes leading to further casualties and property destruction in Al-Hodeida, Hajjah, and Marib governorates.
In 2021, Marib governorate endured 26 airstrikes, damaging homes and farms. In 2022, artillery shelling by the Saudi army in Saada governorate resulted in fatalities and injuries, while airstrikes continued to target various districts.
The most recent incidents on March 20, 2023, saw 16 people, including African migrants, injured by Saudi gunfire in Saada governorate. Airstrikes and shelling by reconnaissance aircraft and mercenaries in Taiz and Al-Hodeida governorates added to the ongoing devastation.