Sana’a: On this day, March 2, the US-Saudi-Emirati coalition utilized internationally banned cluster bombs in air raids that targeted civilians, private properties, and infrastructure across multiple governorates in Yemen.
According to Yemen News Agency, on March 2, 2016, the coalition’s air force executed five raids on quarries near the Community College in the Sarif area of Bani Hoshaish District in Sana’a Governorate, leading to significant damage in the surrounding residential neighborhoods. The air raids extended to the Al-Hadh’a, Al-Madarij, and Bani Shakwan areas in the Nihm District, where the use of banned bombs caused extensive damage to agricultural land and homes.
In the same governorate, two additional raids targeted the Al-Arqoub area in Khawlan District, including an attack on a civilian vehicle. The coalition’s air force also targeted a water project in the Burkan area in Razih District in Sa’ada Governorate, employing Apache helicopters and artillery shelling across multiple areas.
Throughout 2017, the air force continued its aggression, resulting in civilian casualties, including children, and further destruction of property across several districts. In the Otmah District in Dhamar Governorate, two raids resulted in three fatalities and four injuries. Additional raids and artillery shelling were reported in the Ma’in District, Marib, and Sa’ada Governorates, employing cluster bombs that inflicted damage on residential areas and agricultural lands.
In 2018, the coalition’s airstrikes persisted, injuring civilians and targeting various districts, including the capital Sana’a, and causing widespread property damage. The aggression in 2019 escalated with attacks on civilian homes and United Nations personnel in Al-Hodeida Governorate, alongside extensive artillery shelling and rocket attacks on residential areas.
The following year, in 2020, the coalition’s attacks resulted in civilian deaths and injuries in the Bayt Al-Faqih District in Hodeida Governorate, with artillery and missile strikes targeting multiple locations. In 2021, airstrikes on IDP camps in Marib Governorate and other districts resulted in livestock deaths and significant destruction.
In 2022, the coalition’s aggression continued with airstrikes and artillery shelling causing injuries and extensive damage in Sa’ada Governorate and other regions. In 2023, air raids and artillery attacks persisted in Hodeida Governorate, further escalating the humanitarian crisis.
The ongoing airstrikes and use of banned munitions have drawn international condemnation for their severe impact on civilians and infrastructure, exacerbating the humanitarian situation in Yemen.