US strikes devastate civilian facilities in Yemeni capital, sparking outrage

By Lala Hajiyeva
March 20, 2025 19:45
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U.S. airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, have destroyed civilian infrastructure, including a community event hall, wounding at least nine people. The strikes continue to devastate residential areas, raising concerns about the impact on civilians.

A recent wave of U.S. airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, has left significant destruction in its wake, particularly in civilian areas. On Wednesday evening, four missiles struck a hall commonly used for events such as weddings and funerals in a northern district of the city. The attack, which has sparked outrage among local residents, obliterated the event hall and caused widespread damage to the surrounding residential buildings.

Footage from the aftermath, captured by a reporter from China Media Group (CMG), shows the extent of the devastation. Collapsed walls, flattened structures, and debris scattered across the area are visible, as rescuers scoured the wreckage in search of survivors. The pungent smell of burning rubble filled the air, and the sight of broken homes was a grim reminder of the ongoing conflict’s toll on civilians.

Mohamed Issak, a local resident, passionately defended the civilian nature of the targeted building. “It used to be an activity hall for weddings, funerals, and various events. We are the best witnesses. The facts clearly show that this was a civilian facility. There were neither weapons nor ammunition stored, and it certainly wasn’t a so-called arms depot,” he said, walking through the destruction with a reporter.

The strikes have reportedly left at least nine civilians wounded, including seven women and two children, according to the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV. This attack marks the second such assault on the area within a span of a few days. Earlier airstrikes, conducted on Saturday, killed 53 people and wounded 98, including numerous women and children, as reported by Houthi-controlled health authorities.

These airstrikes form part of the broader conflict between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition, which has been intensifying in recent months. While these strikes are officially aimed at military targets, they have increasingly resulted in damage to civilian infrastructure, raising concerns about the impact on innocent lives.

The latest round of strikes expanded beyond the capital, with reports of attacks on additional Houthi-controlled areas across the region. The repeated targeting of civilian structures has fueled anger and disillusionment among the residents of Sanaa, many of whom are already enduring the hardship of prolonged conflict.

As for the U.S. involvement, the airstrikes are part of a broader strategy aimed at combating the Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran and have been engaged in the ongoing civil war in Yemen. The U.S. has long supported the Saudi-led coalition with intelligence and airstrikes as part of efforts to curb the influence of Iran in the region. The rationale behind the airstrikes is to weaken the Houthis and disrupt their military capabilities, which are seen as a threat to regional stability.

However, the situation is complicated. Yemen itself is not responsible for the actions of the Houthis. The conflict in Yemen has many layers, including the involvement of external actors like Saudi Arabia and Iran. Yemen, as a nation, is divided between the Houthi-controlled north and the internationally recognized government in the south, which has led to civilian infrastructure being caught in the crossfire of foreign interventions. Many argue that the actions of the Houthis should not be directly attributed to the entire country, as they represent only one faction in a multi-sided civil war.

As rescue operations continue, the international community remains divided on how to address the situation in Yemen, with calls for greater accountability and protection of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. The impact of these airstrikes highlights the tragic consequences of warfare, especially when civilian infrastructure becomes collateral damage.

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