From Displacement Camps to Village Homes: April 4th – A Documented Map of the Crimes of the US-Saudi-Emirati Aggression
On April 4th, one of the most brutal and blatant forms of aggression unfolded, as airstrikes converged with missile and artillery shelling in a direct targeting of civilians, particularly in places that are supposed to be safe havens, such as homes, displacement camps, and service facilities.
This day does not merely document isolated attacks, but rather reveals a consistent pattern of systematic targeting of everything related to the lives of Yemenis, in an attempt to break their resilience by striking at their basic human and economic security.
2015: Targeting Homes and Border Shelling
On April 4, 2015, civilian homes in the Baqim district of Saada Governorate were targeted, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to four others. This coincided with artillery and missile shelling that struck several border areas, in a scene reflecting the beginning of an escalation targeting populated villages.
2016: Massacre at a Displaced Persons Camp and Destruction of Communications
On April 4, 2016, the Saudi-led coalition warplanes committed a horrific crime by targeting a displaced persons camp in the Al-Shahal district of Hajjah Governorate, resulting in the deaths of six children and a woman, in one of the most heinous examples of targeting the most vulnerable groups.
In Saada, airstrikes targeted civilian homes and infrastructure, including the telecommunications and postal building in Haydan, which was completely destroyed, as part of a systematic targeting of communication and essential services.
The airstrikes extended to Marib, Al-Jawf, Lahj, and Taiz, where markets, residential neighborhoods, and public facilities were hit, causing widespread damage.
2017: Targeting Travelers and Service Facilities
On April 4, 2017, the Saudi-led coalition warplanes targeted a passenger vehicle in Al-Jawf Governorate, killing two civilians and injuring a woman, in yet another crime targeting civilians while they were traveling.
The airstrikes also targeted service facilities in Hodeidah, including water authority warehouses, in addition to widespread attacks in Sana’a, Marib, Sa’dah, and Taiz, reflecting the expanding scope of the attacks.
2018: Bombing of Farms and Markets and Continued Border Attacks
On April 4, 2018, civilian farms in Hodeidah were targeted, resulting in casualties and damage to livelihoods. Airstrikes also hit markets and residential neighborhoods.
In Sa’dah, Saudi missile and artillery shelling continued on border districts, coinciding with intensive airstrikes.
2019: Targeting of Residential Areas and Educational Facilities
On April 4, 2019, a house in the Al-Rabsa neighborhood of Hodeidah Governorate was targeted, killing three women and a man, in a crime that reflects the targeting of densely populated residential areas.
Artillery shells also struck educational facilities and civilian infrastructure, including the College of Medicine and Hodeidah Airport, in an escalation directly targeting civilian infrastructure.
2020: Entire Families Wiped Out and a Widespread Air Escalation
On April 4, 2020, an entire family was targeted in the Razih district of Saada Governorate, resulting in the deaths of the father, the pregnant mother, and two young daughters, in one of the most horrific crimes against entire families.
Several governorates also witnessed intense airstrikes and artillery shelling targeting farms and homes, along with a widespread aerial escalation in Marib, Al-Jawf, and Sana’a.
2021: Missile Attacks Target Civilians in Border Areas
On April 4, 2021, Saudi missile and artillery shelling of border districts in Saada resulted in the deaths and injuries of a number of civilians, including women.
Airstrikes also targeted civilian farms in Marib and other areas, causing significant losses to livelihoods.
2022: Air Escalation and Intensified Targeting of Homes
On April 4, 2022, the Saudi-led coalition launched intensive airstrikes using reconnaissance and Apache helicopters against civilian homes in Taiz, Marib, Al-Dhale’a, and Lahj, in a clear escalation directly targeting residential areas.
Artillery shelling also continued on several fronts, targeting populated areas.
2023: Sniper Attacks and Continued Bombing
On April 4, 2023, two civilians were killed and five others wounded by Saudi enemy fire in Sa’dah, while a woman was wounded by sniper fire from coalition mercenaries in Taiz, continuing the direct killings.
Targeting Safe Havens as a War Strategy
The events of April 4 reveal a clear pattern of targeting places that are supposed to be safe havens for civilians, from displacement camps to homes and service facilities, in an attempt to break the popular will by spreading the danger.
It is a documented human record of repeated crimes, reflecting the extent of the suffering, but at the same time it establishes a living national memory, confirming that these crimes will not be forgotten, and that justice remains a demand no matter how long it takes.