February 25th: A Day of Repeated Massacres and Targeting of Residential Areas in the Record of Aggression Against Yemen
February 25th is not merely a passing date in the history of the American-Saudi-Emirati aggression against Yemen. Rather, it reveals, throughout the years of war, a recurring pattern of crimes targeting residential areas, farms, roads, and civilian infrastructure in several Yemeni governorates.
From Sana’a, Taiz, and Sa’dah to Hodeidah, Marib, Hajjah, and Al-Jawf, airstrikes and missile and artillery shelling have been repeated, leaving martyrs and wounded among civilians and widespread destruction of public and private property. This reflects the nature of an aggression that directly targeted the Yemeni people and the foundations of their lives.
2016: Airstrikes on Residential Areas and a Widespread Escalation in Several Governorates
On February 25, 2016, citizen Mohammed Al-Ibi was martyred, and four others, including a woman and a child, were wounded in airstrikes that targeted their home in the Beit Ma’yad area of the Al-Sabeen district in the capital, Sana’a. Significant damage was also inflicted on neighboring houses.
The aggression’s airstrikes extended to the Attan, Nahdain, and Sa’wan districts east of Sana’a, damaging homes, shops, and public property.
In Taiz Governorate, two airstrikes on the Damna Khadir district resulted in the deaths of four civilians and injuries to four others, as well as damage to numerous homes. These strikes coincided with other attacks on Hayfan and Al-Sharijah in Lahj Governorate.
An airstrike also targeted a civilian’s home in the Razih district of Sa’dah Governorate, injuring two women, leaving a child missing, and destroying several houses.
The Nihm district of Sana’a Governorate witnessed one of the most intense waves of bombardment, with more than 40 airstrikes hitting the areas of Malh, Bani Shakwan, and Al-Faradha. Other airstrikes targeted the Sirwah district in Ma’rib Governorate.
In Hodeidah, Apache helicopters launched attacks on the city of Al-Khawkhah and the Al-Jubana area, setting civilian vehicles ablaze and damaging property.
2017: Massacres of Children and Use of Prohibited Weapons
On February 25, 2017, the Saudi-led coalition committed a horrific crime in Taiz Governorate by targeting the Al-Mahbash area near the Al-Mukha junction, resulting in the deaths of five children. The airstrikes also targeted a cattle farm in the same area.
The districts of Mawza, Dhubab, and Al-Mukha witnessed a series of intense airstrikes, including the use of cluster bombs in three attacks on Jabal Al-Nar, in flagrant violation of international law.
In Dhamar Governorate, two civilians were killed and nine others, mostly women and children, were wounded in an airstrike that targeted a house in the Atmah district.
Airstrikes also targeted the Nihm and Arhab districts in Sana’a Governorate and civilian farms in Sirwah, Marib Governorate, coinciding with heavy artillery shelling by mercenaries. The airstrikes also extended to the governorates of Hodeidah, Hajjah, and Sa’dah, as well as border areas in Asir.
2018: Continued Border Bombardment and Targeting of Villages and Farms
On February 25, 2018, a civilian was killed and another injured by Saudi missile and artillery shelling that targeted the Razih border district in Saada Governorate. The Ghamr district was also subjected to similar shelling, resulting in damage to homes and farms.
In the same context, the Saudi-led coalition warplanes launched several airstrikes on the Baqim district, as well as on border positions in Najran. Airstrikes also targeted the Al-Salw district in Taiz and the Haradh and Midi districts in Hajjah Governorate.
2019: Widespread Artillery Bombardment and Targeting of Cities and Residential Areas
On February 25, 2019, civilian Abdulbari Saleh Rabih was killed and three others were injured as a result of heavy artillery shelling that targeted civilian homes and farms in the Harib Al-Qaramish district of Marib Governorate.
In Hodeidah Governorate, heavy shelling continued on residential neighborhoods in Hodeidah city, Hays district, and the areas of Kilo 16, Ad Durayhimi, and At Tuhayta. Artillery and medium and heavy weapons were used extensively, causing significant damage to homes, farms, and property.
Airstrikes also targeted As Sawda School and Musa Castle in Kushar district of Hajjah Governorate, as well as a citizen’s farm in Nihm district of Sana’a Governorate. Meanwhile, Sa’dah Governorate witnessed a significant escalation in airstrikes, with multiple raids on Baqim and Kataf, and missile and artillery shelling of border areas.
2020: Continued Bombing and Targeting of Farms and Economic Facilities
On February 25, 2020, a child was injured, homes were damaged, and cattle perished as a result of shelling by mercenary tanks and artillery on Al Manqam village in Ad Durayhimi district of Hodeidah Governorate. Several areas in the district were also subjected to heavy artillery shelling, which damaged farms and property.
In Sana’a Governorate, the Saudi-led coalition warplanes targeted equipment and machinery belonging to a gold mining company in Jabal Salb, Nihm District, in addition to other airstrikes on various areas within the district, as well as airstrikes on Majzar in Ma’rib and districts in Al-Jawf and Al-Bayda.
2021: Escalation in Ma’rib and Continued Border Shelling
On February 25, 2021, citizen Mater Ahmed Ali was killed by Saudi artillery shelling that targeted his home in the Ghor Al-Mashwat area of the border district of Ghamr in Sa’dah Governorate. Other areas were also subjected to Saudi missile and artillery shelling.
In Ma’rib Governorate, the coalition warplanes launched six airstrikes on the districts of Sirwah and Madghal and one airstrike on Majzar. This coincided with a significant escalation in Al-Hudaydah Governorate, where reconnaissance aircraft launched 13 airstrikes on Hays District and the Al-Fazah area, while heavy artillery shelling and the establishment of new military fortifications continued.
2022: Widespread Bombardment and Intense Airstrikes on Several Governorates
On February 25, 2022, two civilians were killed by Saudi artillery shelling in the Shada and Qatabir districts of Saada Governorate. An African migrant was also killed, and seven civilians were wounded by Saudi army fire in the Al-Raqw area of the border district of Munabbih.
Additionally, a civilian was killed when his car was targeted by a reconnaissance aircraft on the road linking Hajjah and Hodeidah.
Hodeidah Governorate witnessed widespread shelling with more than 127 artillery shells and the establishment of new fortifications, while the Saudi-led coalition warplanes launched dozens of airstrikes on the governorates of Hajjah, Ma’rib, and Al-Jawf, as well as border areas opposite Najran.
2023: Continued Violations and Military Escalation
On February 25, 2023, a reconnaissance aircraft launched an airstrike on the Hays district of Hodeidah Governorate, while