February 24th: Documented Massacres and Systematic Targeting of Civilians in the Record of Aggression Against Yemen
In the memory of Yemenis, February 24th is not just another day. Each year, it returns as a testament to a long series of crimes committed by the US-Saudi-Emirati aggression against civilians and infrastructure in various governorates.
Throughout the years of aggression, the events of this day reveal a recurring pattern of airstrikes, missile and artillery shelling, and the direct targeting of residential neighborhoods and civilian facilities. This aggression has expanded from Saada to Hodeidah, Taiz, Sana’a, Marib, Hajjah, and Al-Jawf, leaving behind martyrs, wounded, and widespread destruction of Yemeni lives and property.
2016: Targeting Border Villages and Civilian Infrastructure
On February 24, 2016, a woman was killed and eight civilians were injured in a Saudi missile attack targeting civilian homes in the Ghafra area of the Al-Dhaher district in Saada Governorate. The missile attack also struck other areas in the Razih district, causing widespread damage to homes and property.
In Marib Governorate, the Saudi-led coalition launched three airstrikes on the health center in the Badbadah district, injuring civilians and completely destroying the center. The Sarwah market and other locations in the area were also targeted.
The airstrikes extended to Sana’a Governorate, targeting the Bani Hashish district. Airstrikes also hit the city of Al-Khawkhah, the Al-Jubana area north of Hodeidah, and timber sheds belonging to the Al-Husseini factory in the Al-Salif junction, in a clear targeting of civilian and economic infrastructure.
2017: Market Bombings and a Widespread Escalation of Airstrikes
On February 24, 2017, the Saudi-led coalition warplanes committed another massacre by targeting a restaurant in the Al-Barah market in the Maqbanah district of Taiz governorate. This attack resulted in the deaths of four civilians and injuries to three others, in one of several attacks targeting areas densely populated with civilians.
In the same context, the coalition warplanes launched five airstrikes on the Mawza’ district and twelve on Al-Mukha and Dhubab. Several areas in Sa’dah governorate were also targeted, including Mandabah in the Baqim district and other areas in Kataf and Al-Dhaher.
The airstrikes also hit the Nihm district in Sana’a governorate, the city and customs area of Haradh in Hajjah governorate, as well as Al-Khawkhah in Hodeidah and another in Jizan, in a widespread escalation of airstrikes across multiple fronts.
2018: Targeting Water Sources and Public Roads
On February 24, 2018, the Saudi-led coalition launched six airstrikes on a water drilling rig in the Al-Mahather area of Sahar district in Saada governorate, destroying it and injuring civilians. This was a direct attack on a vital water resource serving the population.
A woman was also injured by Saudi missile and artillery shelling that targeted several areas in the districts of Munabbih, Shada, Razih, and Al-Ghawr in Ghamr district, causing significant damage to homes and livestock deaths.
The airstrikes extended to mountainous areas and public roads in Saada, where the shelling resulted in the closure of the main road in some areas. Hajjah and Sana’a governorates also witnessed additional airstrikes targeting various locations, along with airstrikes on Al-Salw district in Taiz.
2019: Targeting Families and Residential Homes
On February 24, 2019, three women and an elderly man were killed, and five others from the same family were injured in an airstrike that targeted the home of Saleh al-Touqi in the Nihm district of Sana’a Governorate. This crime reflects the nature of the direct targeting of residential areas.
In Hajjah Governorate, two civilians were killed in an airstrike on a home in the Washhah district.
In Hodeidah, artillery shelling and mercenary fire continued to target residential neighborhoods, the vicinity of Kuwait Hospital, the al-Halqa market, Sana’a Street, July 7th Street, and several other areas within the city. This caused significant damage to homes and civilian infrastructure. Simultaneously, Saudi airstrikes targeted border villages in the Munabbih district of Sa’dah Governorate.
2020: Intense Airstrikes and Continuous Bombardment in Hodeidah
On February 24, 2020, the Saudi-led coalition launched five airstrikes on the al-Ghayl district in al-Jawf Governorate and four airstrikes on various areas of the Nihm district in Sana’a Governorate.
In Hodeidah, mercenaries targeted residential neighborhoods and farms with heavy machine guns, rockets, and mortar shells, resulting in the burning of a citizen’s house in the 7th of July residential area and damage to farms and property in Al-Tuhayta and Ad-Durayhimi. They also established new military fortifications in the city.
2021: Border Fire and Air Escalation
On February 24, 2021, five civilians were wounded by Saudi border guard fire in the Munabbih border district of Sa’dah Governorate, while populated villages in the Shada’a district were subjected to intense rocket and artillery shelling.
The Saudi-led coalition warplanes also launched airstrikes on Ar-Rabu’ah in Asir and nine airstrikes on the Sarwah and Majzar districts in Ma’rib Governorate. This coincided with artillery and rocket shelling by mercenaries on various areas in Hodeidah Governorate and reconnaissance flights on the At-Tuhayta district.
2022: Targeting of Roads and Civilians and Escalation in Hajjah
On February 24, 2022, a civilian was killed by Saudi artillery shelling in the Shada district of Saada Governorate, and another was wounded in the Al Sheikh area of the border district of Munabbih.
A civilian was also killed in an attack by a reconnaissance drone that targeted his vehicle on the road linking Shafar in Hajjah Governorate and the Khamis al-Wa’izat market in the Az-Zuhrah district of Hodeidah.
Hajjah Governorate witnessed a significant escalation in aerial attacks, with 27 airstrikes on the Haradh district and other airstrikes on Abs and Hayran, in addition to an airstrike on the Mahliyah district of Marib. This coincided with continuous artillery shelling and the establishment of new military fortifications in Hodeidah.
2023: Continued Violations and Field Escalation
On February 24, 2023, reconnaissance aircraft launched an airstrike on the Maqbana district in Taiz Governorate, while the aggression’s mercenaries established combat fortifications in the Hays district of Hodeidah Governorate, with continued artillery shelling and various weapons fire on several areas.
Repeated Targeting of Civilians and Vital Infrastructure
The events of February 24, 2023, reveal a clear pattern of repeated targeting of civilians, vital infrastructure, markets, homes, roads, and water sources, reflecting the nature of the aggression, which has encompassed various sectors.