Saudi strikes near Sanaa kill at least 33 as Yemen truce unravels

At least 33 people were killed and 39 others injured in reported Saudi airstrikes on a village near Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, on Saturday. The Houthi-run health ministry said the strikes hit residential buildings, and most of the casualties were women and children.

Key facts

• At least 33 killed and 39 injured in the strikes near Sanaa
• The target area was Bani Hushaysh, a Houthi stronghold east of the capital
• Most casualties were reported to be women and children
• People, including emergency responders, were still believed to be trapped under rubble
• The incident is described as one of the deadliest since fighting resumed in July

What happened?

A series of Saudi airstrikes struck a village near Sanaa on Saturday, according to Reuters, citing local media. The Houthi-run health ministry said the strikes hit residential buildings in Bani Hushaysh, described as a stronghold of the group east of the capital.

Abdul-Aziz al-Dailami, director of sehatuna hospital in Sanaa, said several people, including emergency responders, were still believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

Why is this happening?

The attack is among the deadliest reported incidents since clashes between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi group resumed in July. The escalation has effectively ended a United Nations-brokered truce reached in 2022, which had largely brought an end to hostilities between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis, who control Sanaa.

Since the fighting resumed, the Houthis have carried out missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi airports and oil installations, while Saudi forces have launched airstrikes in Yemen in support of allied Yemeni groups.

What happens next

The source does not report any further announcements, deadlines or official travel guidance following the strikes. No information is given on flight operations or border crossings.