Nov 8, 5:01 AM
Airstrikes in Yemen's al-Shariyah Kill at Least 25, Houthi Media Report
Escalating violence between Saudi-backed forces and Houthi rebels results in fresh civilian casualties east of Sanaa.
Airstrikes in the Yemeni town of al-Shariyah have killed at least 25 people, including women and children, according to media outlets operated by the Houthi movement. The strikes hit multiple residential structures in the settlement located east of the capital, Sanaa.
Houthi-affiliated outlets Al Masirah and the Saba news agency reported that rescue workers extracted victims from the rubble and transported wounded residents to nearby medical facilities. The Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen's internationally recognised government did not immediately comment on the reported casualty figures in al-Shariyah. Hours prior to the incident, coalition officials stated that defense forces had intercepted a missile directed toward the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
The clash follows a broader breakdown of a years-long period of reduced hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement. Fighting intensified after Saudi strikes targeted the Houthi-controlled airport in Sanaa, which led to Houthi attacks against Abha airport and maritime shipping routes in the Red Sea. Major ground combat has since resumed between Houthi units and forces aligned with the Yemeni government.
Violence has escalated rapidly across several sectors of the country over recent days. On Friday, an attack on a public market in Taiz province left 30 people dead, with the Houthis accusing Saudi Arabia of conducting an airstrike and government forces claiming a Houthi missile hit the area. According to United Nations figures, more than 1,600 people have died and over 300,000 have been displaced since the resumption of hostilities.
Following the latest strikes, Houthi leader Mahdi al-Mashat stated that the group planned to retaliate against Saudi Arabia. Saudi coalition aircraft continue to strike Houthi-controlled positions, while the insurgent group maintains missile attacks aimed at airports and oil facilities inside Saudi territory.
Written by Andreas Hofer andreas.hofer@alpineweekly.com
