February 20th: A Day That Unfolds the Chapters of the Comprehensive Targeting of Yemen, Its Land and People
The 20th of February is not a fleeting page in the Yemeni memory. Each year, it returns laden with a long record of airstrikes, shelling, and targeting that has affected civilians, their homes, and their livelihoods.
Throughout the years of the American-Saudi-Emirati aggression, this day has become a new testament to a recurring pattern of aggressive military operations that have struck infrastructure, civilian facilities, and populated villages in several governorates, reflecting the nature of the war imposed on Yemen.
2016: Widespread Airstrikes and Targeting of Service Infrastructure
On February 20, 2016, this day witnessed one of the most intense waves of bombing. Coalition aircraft targeted a water reservoir in the Al-Kadrah area of Al-Mawasit district in Taiz governorate, resulting in the deaths of civilians, injuries to others, and significant damage to the reservoir. This was a direct attack on a service facility upon which the population depends.
The aggression’s airstrikes extended to several areas in Taiz, including Jabal al-Warqa in al-Aqroudh, al-Masrakh district. Strikes also targeted al-Huwaymi, Karsh, and al-Sharijah in Lahj governorate, where cluster bombs were dropped, causing damage to civilian homes and property.
In Marib governorate, the aggression’s warplanes launched a wide-ranging series of approximately thirty airstrikes targeting al-Hamajrah village, Jabal Hilan, Sarwah market, and the main road linking Sana’a and Marib, causing extensive damage to farms, homes, and infrastructure. Airstrikes also hit al-Jawf, Sa’dah, and Shabwah governorates.
In the capital, Sana’a, the areas of al-Nahdain, al-Sabeen, Attan, Sana’a International Airport, Wadi Ahmad, and Daris in Bani al-Harith district were targeted, resulting in widespread damage to public and private property. Airstrikes also targeted areas in Amran and Sana’a, including Jabal al-Marha, al-Sabaha, Bani Matar, and Khawlan.
2017: Targeting Homes and Educational Facilities
On February 20, 2017, the Saudi-led coalition continued its airstrikes on residential areas. Three airstrikes targeted civilian homes in Wadi Habab, Sarwah District, Marib Governorate, destroying one house and damaging neighboring homes. Several airstrikes also targeted Nihm District, Sana’a Governorate, causing damage to agricultural land and property.
In Taiz Governorate, airstrikes hit Al-Omari Schools in Dhubab City, as well as the main road linking Jabal Al-Nar and the Mocha Junction in Mawza District. Apache helicopters also launched heavy shelling on the Midi Desert with dozens of missiles.
Airstrikes also targeted areas in Sa’dah and Jizan, coinciding with Saudi missile and artillery shelling of border areas.
2018: Air Operations Intensify
On February 20, 2018, airstrikes continued on several fronts. The military police building in the port district of Hodeidah governorate was targeted, and dozens of airstrikes were launched on areas in Haradh and Midi in Hajjah governorate, as well as areas in Taiz, Al-Jawf, and Saada.
Border areas in Saada were also subjected to Saudi missile fire, amidst a continuing escalation on those fronts.
2019: Family Massacre and Intense Bombing of Hodeidah
This day in 2019 witnessed one of the most horrific crimes, when a woman and three children were killed in two airstrikes targeting a civilian’s home in Kushar district of Hajjah governorate. Women and children were injured in another airstrike on a civilian’s home in the same district.
In Hodeidah Governorate, the aggression’s mercenaries intensified their missile and artillery bombardment of residential neighborhoods and farms in the districts of Al-Tuhayta, Ad-Durayhimi, and Hays, launching hundreds of shells and establishing new military positions and movements, causing widespread damage to villages and farms.
Airstrikes also targeted Sa’dah and Sana’a governorates, hitting several areas including Bani Al-Harith, Ad-Dailami Air Base, and Nihm District.
2020: Continued Bombing of Residential Areas
On February 20, 2020, a woman was killed in a bombing that targeted residential neighborhoods in the 7th of July area of Hodeidah city. Meanwhile, missile and artillery shelling continued on villages and farms in At-Tuhayta, Ad-Durayhimi, and Kilo 16, where civilian homes were subjected to intense bombardment with dozens of shells and rockets.
A civilian was also wounded by Saudi border guard fire in the border district of Munabbih in Sa’dah Governorate, while warplanes launched multiple airstrikes on the districts of Nihm, Sirwah, Majzar, Al-Ghayl, Haradh, and Hayran.
2021–2022: Escalation of Airstrikes and Border Shelling
In 2021 and 2022, airstrikes and artillery shelling continued, with coalition aircraft launching raids on Ma’rib, Al-Jawf, Sa’dah, and Al-Hudaydah.
On February 20, 2022, civilian casualties were reported in the Shada’a border district as a result of Saudi artillery shelling. Nine women were also injured in a similar shelling of the Baqim district in Sa’dah Governorate, indicating the continued targeting of populated border areas.
Hajjah Governorate witnessed intense airstrikes on the Haradh district, while Ma’rib and Al-Bayda were also targeted, coinciding with artillery shelling and military movements in areas of Al-Hudaydah.
2023: Border Bombardment Continues
On February 20, 2023, a civilian was killed by Saudi artillery shelling targeting the Shada border district in Saada Governorate. This incident serves as further confirmation that the effects of the aggression and its crimes have not ceased, and that border areas continue to suffer the repercussions of these attacks.
A Long Record of Crimes
The events of February 20, when traced over the years, reveal a stark picture of the nature of the aggression against Yemen: airstrikes targeting villages and infrastructure, shelling of homes, markets, and farms, and a continuous escalation in border areas.
This day adds to a long record of crimes that document the extent of the destruction inflicted on Yemeni cities and villages, reflecting the war’s reach into all aspects of life in the country.