Hodeida: On this day in history, February 5, the US-Saudi-Emirati coalition carried out significant military operations that resulted in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. These operations targeted residential neighborhoods, fuel stations, farms, and public and private facilities over several years, highlighting a pattern of aggression and destruction.
According to Yemen News Agency, on February 5, 2016, coalition airstrikes injured a citizen and caused substantial material losses in Hodeida city from a raid targeting a fuel station. Additional raids in Marib Governorate injured a woman and destroyed the home of Saleh Mabkhout Al-Zaidi. In Sanaa Governorate, multiple raids resulted in severe damage to homes and agricultural lands.
The following year, on February 5, 2017, an attack on fishermen's boats near Tarfa Island resulted in five deaths, six injuries, and 13 missing individuals. Coalition airstrikes in the area led to further destruction of local infrastructure, including a solar-powered irrigation project in Al-Tuhayta district.
In 2018, aggression on February 5 saw multiple airstrikes across various districts, including Saada and Hajjah Governorates, resulting in civilian casualties and property damage. Cluster bombs from previous operations continued to injure citizens, underlining the long-lasting impact of these attacks.
February 5, 2019, was marked by continued violence, with a child injured in Hodeida Governorate due to mercenary fire. Airstrikes and artillery shelling in various regions led to further destruction of homes and farms, intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
On February 5, 2020, a citizen was killed by Saudi border guard forces in Saada Governorate, with additional airstrikes targeting districts across Sanaa and Marib Governorates. The attacks significantly damaged infrastructure and agricultural lands, exacerbating the plight of civilians.
The violence persisted on February 5, 2021, with children injured by bomb remnants in Saada Governorate. Airstrikes and artillery shelling continued to devastate regions, impacting civilians and disrupting their livelihoods.
By February 5, 2022, civilian casualties remained a grave concern, with Saudi army fire in Saada Governorate injuring citizens. Airstrikes on Sanaa and Al-Jawf Governorates caused further damage to infrastructure and property, perpetuating the cycle of violence.
Most recently, on February 5, 2023, a citizen and six African migrants were injured by Saudi army fire, highlighting the ongoing threat to civilian safety. The use of spy aviation and artillery shelling in Hodeida Governorate continued to create an atmosphere of fear and instability.
The Yemen News Agency reports that these annual patterns of aggression have left a lasting impact on the region, with severe humanitarian repercussions. The ongoing conflict underscores the urgent need for international attention and intervention to address the continuous violations and support affected communities.