January 17: The Assassination of Truth and the Killing of Life in the War of Aggression on Yemen
January 17 is not a passing date in the memory of the aggression against Yemen; rather, it is a stark milestone that exposes the true face of an assault that has consistently adopted the violation of civilians, the destruction of service infrastructure, and the silencing of voices and truth as a fixed approach over successive years.
On this day, crimes were repeatedly committed in various forms—from targeting journalists, markets, and homes to bombing roads and service facilities—underscoring that the American-Saudi-Emirati aggression was not merely a military war, but a comprehensive war against the Yemeni people and their right to life.
2016: When Truth Was Targeted Before the Living
On January 17, 2016, the aggression committed one of its most telling crimes by targeting Voice of America correspondent Al-Miqdad Mujalli while he was covering the aftermath of the Jaraf Bath massacre in Bilad Al-Rus District. He was martyred while documenting a prior crime that had claimed the lives of dozens of civilians—sending a clear message that truth itself was a legitimate target for enemy aircraft.
On the same day, airstrikes hit the Khawlan–Marib road, cutting it off, and targeted Jabal Dhin and the Dala’ area, causing extensive damage to agricultural lands.
Al-Jawf Governorate also witnessed more than 45 airstrikes on Al-Ghayl, Aibar, and Sadba’, during which civilian homes were completely destroyed. Neighborhoods, industrial and sports facilities, and even cemeteries in the Capital Municipality were directly struck, including the Al-Rimah Industrial Complex, Al-Raabi Marble Factory, Al-Yarmouk Club, and Al-Houta Cemetery—conduct reflecting the absence of any red lines.
In Ibb and Taiz, shelling extended to residential neighborhoods, supply facilities, ports, and apartment buildings, reaching as far as Mocha Port, in a comprehensive escalation targeting the pillars of civilian life.
2017: Markets and Homes in the Line of Fire
On January 17, 2017, the aggression again directly targeted civilians. Six citizens, including women and children, were martyred in a naval bombardment that struck their homes in Maqbanah, Taiz.
In Saada, six shoppers were martyred in Marran during an airstrike on a popular market, while raids were carried out on Haydan, Shada, Kataf, Baqim, and Al-Dhahir.
Airstrikes also targeted transporters, farms, and agricultural areas in Al-Hudaydah, Sana’a, and Marib, alongside intense artillery shelling by mercenaries on villages and farms.
2018: Targeting the Displaced, Roads, and Markets
On this day in 2018, four citizens were martyred when a civilian vehicle was targeted in Mocha, while Al-Najibah Market in Mawza’ was directly struck.
Farms and residential areas in Baqim, Razih, Munabbih, and Kataf were also targeted, with Apache helicopters used in direct attacks. Additionally, a truck carrying shelter materials for displaced persons in Al-Jawf was struck—clearly demonstrating that even the displaced were not spared.
2019: Al-Hudaydah Under a Barrage of Fire
January 17, 2019 witnessed one of the most intense waves of artillery and rocket fire on Al-Hudaydah city. Residential neighborhoods, the airport, Al-Hudaydah University, 50th Street, and civilian resorts were targeted with hundreds of shells and Katyusha rockets, alongside heavy gunfire and the establishment of fortifications within neighborhoods—constituting a blatant violation of all agreements and conventions.
2020–2021: Killing Continues Under the Banner of “De-escalation”
Aerial and artillery bombardment continued in Saada, Sana’a, and Al-Hudaydah, with residential areas and public roads targeted.
In 2021, a citizen was martyred in Marib after an airstrike hit his vehicle, and a vital water project in Al-Jubah was destroyed, alongside shelling exceeding one thousand rockets and shells on West Coast districts—confirming that the aggression did not cease even during periods labeled as “de-escalation.”
2022: Heavy Airstrikes and the Remnants of Death
On January 17, 2022, a child was injured by the explosion of a landmine left by the aggression in Al-Hudaydah. Meanwhile, dozens of airstrikes were carried out on Marib, Al-Bayda, Shabwah, Taiz, Hajjah, Al-Jawf, and Dhamar, even targeting telecommunications towers in an attempt to isolate areas and sever communication.
2023–2024: Crimes Continue by Different Means
In 2023, two citizens were injured by Saudi artillery shelling in Shada, and artillery and surveillance bombardment continued on Al-Hudaydah.
On January 17, 2024, the young man Diaa Hassan Arab Al-Munfari (17 years old) was martyred by the explosion of a remnant of the aggression in Al-Durayhimi—confirming that the آثار of war continue to claim lives even after airstrikes have ceased.
Crimes That Do Not Expire
Across the years of aggression, January 17 reveals on