March 8th: A Day of Blood and Massacres in the Record of US-Saudi-Emirati Aggression
March 8th was not just another day in the memory of Yemenis during the years of aggression; it became another bloody chapter in the record of crimes committed by the US-Saudi-Emirati aggression against the Yemeni people. On this day throughout the years of war, airstrikes, artillery shelling, and missile attacks targeted residential neighborhoods, markets, farms, schools, and infrastructure in several governorates, leaving martyrs and wounded, including women and children, in addition to widespread destruction of public and private property.
The events of this date reveal a recurring pattern of direct targeting of civilian areas, reflecting the scale of the humanitarian tragedy that Yemenis have endured since the beginning of the aggression.
2016: Targeting Residential Areas in Shabwa, Taiz, and Lahj
On March 8, 2016, the aggression’s warplanes launched a series of airstrikes targeting residential neighborhoods in the Mablaga area of Ain district in Shabwa governorate, as well as the border district of Midi in Hajjah governorate.
The airstrikes extended to the Dhamran area and Jabal al-Hajj in the al-Qubaytah district of Lahj Governorate, in addition to strikes on the Shar’ab intersection and the old airport area west of Taiz city, resulting in significant damage to property and civilian infrastructure.
2017: Widespread Airstrikes and Shelling on Several Governorates
On March 8, 2017, the Saudi-led coalition intensified its airstrikes on several governorates, launching three raids on the al-Subah area in the al-Dhaher district of Sa’dah Governorate, one raid on Jabal Mandabah in the Baqim district, and four raids on the al-Buqa’ area in the Kataf district. This coincided with Saudi missile and artillery shelling targeting the Al Sheikh area in the Munabbih district.
In Taiz Governorate, airstrikes targeted the area west of the al-Umari schools and three raids on the Mawza’ district. The Nihm district of Sana’a Governorate was also targeted with airstrikes that hit the Masoura market, Jabal Yam, and Jabal al-Manarah.
The airstrikes extended to Lahj Governorate with five raids on the Kahbub area, three raids on the Mustaba district in Hajjah Governorate, a raid on the telecommunications network in the Ghulayfiqah area of the Ad-Durayhimi district, and three raids on the Al-Khawkhah district in Al-Hudaydah Governorate.
The aggression’s mercenaries also targeted various areas in the Sirwah district of Ma’rib Governorate with Katyusha rockets, coinciding with an airstrike on the same district. Meanwhile, warplanes launched six raids on the Ar-Rabu’ah area in Asir.
2018: Massacres Against Civilians and Targeting of Farms and Bedouin Tents
On March 8, 2018, five civilians were killed in an airstrike by the aggression’s warplanes near the Dahmash market in the Zabid district of Al-Hudaydah Governorate. A civilian was also killed and others went missing following two raids that targeted a farm in Wadi Zabid.
Aircraft targeted poultry farms in the Al-Jarahi district, while a drone launched two raids on the Jabal Ra’s district in the same governorate.
In Amran Governorate, six civilians, including three women, were injured in airstrikes targeting Bedouin tents in the Houth district.
The Shada and Razih districts in Saada Governorate were also subjected to Saudi missile and artillery shelling, resulting in injuries to a number of civilians.
Airstrikes also targeted the Baqim and Majz districts in Saada, Arhab and Nihm districts in Sana’a Governorate, Sirwah district in Marib Governorate, and Khabb wa ash-Sha’af district in Al Jawf Governorate.
More than 20 airstrikes were also carried out on the Haradh and Midi districts in Hajjah Governorate.
2019: Targeting Homes, Markets, and Farms
On March 8, 2019, three civilians were killed and nine others were injured when their home in the Maghribah Qarhash area of Kushar district in Hajjah Governorate was targeted by airstrikes.
Airstrikes also targeted the Al-Abisah market, the Bani Malik school, and the Aflah ash-Sham district.
In Hodeidah Governorate, the Al-Tuhayta district was subjected to intense shelling with more than 120 artillery shells targeting civilian farms, while mercenaries targeted various areas of Al-Durayhimi city with machine gun fire.
The mercenaries also targeted commercial areas near the Mobile Roundabout in Hodeidah city and shelled areas near the airport, coinciding with two airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition on the Wadi’ah area in the Al-Safra district of Sa’dah Governorate.
2020: Remnants of Aggression Claim Lives and Destroy Schools
On March 8, 2020, two civilians were killed by an explosion of a bomb left over from the aggression in the Al-Maslub district of Al-Jawf Governorate.
The coalition launched six airstrikes on the Khabb wa ash-Sha’af district and four airstrikes on the Sirwah and Majzar districts in Ma’rib Governorate.
The coalition also targeted the Darb al-Ashraf Basic Secondary School, destroying it along with three adjacent houses, and destroyed another school in the Baraqish area with three airstrikes.
In Hodeidah Governorate, warplanes launched five airstrikes on the Ras Issa area in the Salif district, while mercenaries continued shelling the Ad Durayhimi, At Tuhayta, and Bayt al Faqih districts with artillery and rockets, resulting in the burning of a citizen’s house and damage to several other homes and properties.
In Sa’dah Governorate, warplanes launched seven airstrikes on the Atfin and Buqa’ areas in the Kataf district.
2021: Intense Bombardment and Civilian Casualties
On March 8, 2021, a citizen was injured by an explosion of a bomb left over from the aggression in the Qahza area of Sa’dah city.
In Hodeidah Governorate, a girl was killed by gunfire from the aggression’s mercenaries in the At Tuhayta district, coinciding with intense artillery shelling that included more than 359 shells fired at various areas in the governorate.
The aggression’s warplanes also launched 16 airstrikes on the Sirwah district and airstrikes on the Majzar and Mahliyah districts in Ma’rib Governorate.
2022: Intense Airstrikes and Saudi Border Shelling
On March 8, 2022, a civilian was killed and another injured by Saudi missile and artillery shelling in the Shada district of Saada Governorate.
Five civilians were also injured by artillery shelling in the Al-Raqw area, and five others in the Jar’a and Al-Sheikh areas of the Munabbih district.
Airstrikes targeted the Kataf district with four raids and Al-Ajashir with five raids near Najran. Additionally, an airstrike targeted the September 21st Park in the capital, Sana’a, and two airstrikes targeted the Al-Sawad area in the Sanhan district.