Saudi Warplanes Attack Northern Yemen Again
Saudi fighter jets have launched another round of airstikes on Houthi positions in northern Yemen.
According to a statement issued by the Houthi fighters on Sunday, Saudi forces carried out 24 aerial attacks on Jebel Razih, Sha’af, Bani Maaz, and villages in close proximity to the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
The statement added that Saudi forces fired 1,860 rockets at the areas of Jebel al-Dukhan, Jebel al-Madood, Dhar Hamar, Sabba, al-Malaheet, and Shada.
The conflict in northern Yemen between Sana’a and Houthi fighters began in 2004. The conflict intensified in August 2009 when the Yemeni army launched Operation Scorched Earth in an attempt to crush the fighters in the northern province of Sa’ada.
The Houthis accuse the Yemeni government of violating their civil rights and marginalizing them politically, economically, and religiously.
Saudi forces began fighting with Yemeni Shia resistance fighters, known as Houthis, and bombing their positions on November 4 after accusing the fighters of killing Saudi border guards.
Houthi fighters say that Saudi forces strike Yemeni villages and indiscriminately target civilians. They also say that the Saudis are using toxic materials, including white phosphorus, in the attacks on northern Yemen.
The US military has also been involved in the bombing of Yemen’s northern regions of Amran, Hajjah, and Sa’ada, according to the Houthi fighters.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that since 2004, up to 175,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Sa’ada and take refuge in overcrowded camps set up by the United Nations.