March 4th: Bloody Pages and Unforgettable Crimes in the Record of the US-Saudi-Emirati Aggression Against Yemen
On this day, March 4th, Yemeni memory is renewed with bloody pages of crimes committed by the US-Saudi-Emirati aggression. Throughout the years of this aggression, several governorates have witnessed a series of airstrikes, artillery shelling, and missile attacks targeting civilians, residential neighborhoods, farms, and infrastructure, leaving behind martyrs and wounded, including women and children. This reflects the magnitude of the tragedy that Yemenis have endured since the beginning of the aggression.
A review of the events that occurred on this day during different years of the war reveals a recurring pattern of widespread targeting of multiple areas. This confirms that March 4th was not just a passing date, but another bloody chapter in the record of crimes that have plagued Yemen, its land, and its people.
2016: Targeting Villages, Farms, and Citizens’ Livelihoods
On March 4, 2016, an elderly woman was killed in six airstrikes launched by the aggression’s warplanes on the Aqaba al-Nil area in the Bart al-Anan district of Al-Jawf Governorate. The warplanes also targeted the Al-Ghaib area in the same district with four airstrikes.
In Taiz Governorate, a woman was injured in an airstrike that targeted the Azzan area of Dhubab city.
The bombing extended to Sana’a Governorate, where two airstrikes destroyed a chicken farm in the Hafid area of Sanhan District. Airstrikes also targeted the Malh area in Nihm District and Jabal al-Sama’ in Arhab District, causing significant damage to agricultural lands, homes, and sheep pastures.
The enemy aircraft also launched airstrikes on Harib Bayhan District and the al-Dhayq area of Sirwah District in Ma’rib Governorate. Water trucks were targeted in Hajjah Governorate, and farms were struck in al-Bayda Governorate. An airstrike also hit the al-Sharijah area in Lahj Governorate.
2017: Widespread Escalation, Cluster Bombs, and Targeting of Vital Infrastructure
On March 4, 2017, the aggression aircraft committed another crime in Amran Governorate, targeting a stone quarry in Jabal al-Marha overlooking the Amran Cement Factory. This resulted in the deaths of four civilians and injuries to six others.
In Saada Governorate, warplanes launched a series of intense airstrikes targeting multiple areas in the districts of Haydan, Sahar, Kataf, Al-Dhaher, and Baqim. Some of these strikes involved the use of cluster bombs, coinciding with Saudi artillery shelling of border areas in the Munabbih district.
The escalation extended to the capital, Sana’a, and Taiz Governorate, where airstrikes targeted the Al-Dailami airbase and the Qutbin and Ramada areas in the Nihm district, in addition to the Al-Hamli bridge, Al-Omari schools, and several areas in Al-Mukha and Dhubab.
In Hodeidah Governorate, enemy aircraft launched airstrikes on several districts, including Al-Khawkhah, Al-Jarahi, Al-Mansuriyah, and Ad-Dahi. A drone also targeted the Ras Issa area in the As-Salif district, while mercenaries launched missile attacks on the Sirwah district in Ma’rib and airstrikes targeted areas in Al-Jawf Governorate.
2018: New Casualties and Escalation in Saada and Sana’a
On March 4, 2018, a woman was killed and her daughter injured in ten airstrikes launched by the Saudi-led coalition on Jabal Aswad and Jabal Ayban in the Bani Matar district of Sana’a Governorate.
In Saada Governorate, a child was injured in an airstrike that targeted a house in the Razih district. The coalition also launched several airstrikes on areas in the Baqim, Sahar, Haydan, and Majz districts, coinciding with Saudi missile and artillery shelling targeting several border areas.
The coalition also targeted the Al-Mazraq area in the Haradh district of Hajjah Governorate and the Al-Shabaka site in Najran, as part of a broad military escalation in the border regions.
2019: Intense Bombardment of Residential Areas in Hodeidah, Taiz, and Saada
On March 4, 2019, a civilian was killed and another wounded by mercenary sniper fire in Al-Salw district of Taiz governorate. Meanwhile, another civilian was killed and another wounded by heavy artillery shelling targeting Al-Durayhimi city in Hodeidah governorate, which also destroyed two houses, a mosque, and a health center.
Hodeidah witnessed widespread shelling that targeted residential areas and farms in Al-Durayhimi, Al-Tuhayta, and the Kilo 16 area, where mercenaries fired dozens of artillery shells and heavy gunfire at various residential areas.
In Saada governorate, several areas were subjected to intense Saudi missile and artillery bombardment, coinciding with multiple airstrikes targeting the districts of Kataf, Baqim, Razih, and other areas. Hajjah, Sana’a, and Taiz governorates also witnessed additional airstrikes on a number of districts.
2020: Continued Attacks and Border Bombardments
On March 4, 2020, the Saudi-led coalition launched an airstrike on the Madham area of Hamdan District in Sana’a Governorate, while the Saudi army targeted populated villages in the Razih border district of Sa’dah Governorate with missile and artillery fire.
Al-Hudaydah Governorate also witnessed continuous attacks through artillery shelling and the establishment of new military fortifications in several areas, in addition to the targeting of civilian homes in the districts of Ad-Durayhimi, Hays, and At-Tuhayta.
2021: Bombing of Residential Areas and Casualties Among Children
On March 4, 2021, two children were killed and ten others were injured by mortar shelling that targeted residential areas in the Al-Jamla area of Salah District in Taiz Governorate, resulting in widespread damage to homes and civilian property.
Three civilians were injured in a Saudi missile and artillery bombardment targeting the Shada district in Saada governorate. Meanwhile, Hodeidah governorate witnessed heavy artillery shelling and the establishment of new fortifications in several areas, along with reconnaissance flights on the Al-Fazah and Al-Durayhimi districts, and an airstrike on the Sirwah district in Marib.
2022: Intense Airstrikes on Hajjah, Marib, and Hodeidah
On March 4, 2022, the Saudi-led coalition continued its intensive airstrikes on Hajjah and Marib governorates. The strikes targeted the Haradh, Hayran, and Abs districts, as well as the Al-Wadi, Madghal, Sirwah, and Al-Jubah districts in Marib, in addition to airstrikes on border areas opposite Najran.
Hodeidah governorate also witnessed airstrikes on the Al-Haymah and Al-Fazah areas in the Al-Tuhayta district, coinciding with heavy artillery shelling and the establishment of new fortifications in several areas.
A day that reveals the expanding scope of the aggression over the years