At least nine people, including five children and two women, have been killed in an airstrike in Yemen’s northern Saada province, according to local health authorities, amid escalating violence in the conflict-ravaged country.
The strike hit a house in the Sahar district, an area controlled by Houthi rebels, on Sunday, October 18, leaving 19 others injured, including 11 children.
The casualties were reported by the Houthi-run Health Ministry, whose spokesperson, Anees al-Asbahi, said some of the injured were in critical condition.
The incident has heightened concerns about civilian safety as hostilities between the Houthis and forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government intensify.
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Yemen’s Houthi authorities blamed Saudi Arabia for the airstrike. Saudi Arabia is yet to issue an immediate response to the accusation.
The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the intended target, remained unclear.
The latest deaths underscore the risks facing civilians in areas affected by the fight, particularly families living near military positions and conflict zones.
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The attack comes amid a broader escalation in Yemen, where fighting has intensified after a period of relative calm.
The Houthis, an Iran-aligned armed movement, have been fighting Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which receives support from Saudi Arabia and other regional partners.
Recent attacks have extended beyond front-line positions to include airports and other strategic infrastructure, raising concerns about the potential consequences for civilians and regional security.
On Friday, two missiles struck the airport in the southern port city of Aden, according to local officials. No casualties were reported in that incident.
The renewed violence threatens to deepen Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and complicate efforts to restore stability.
For communities already affected by years of conflict, the latest airstrike represents another deadly reminder of the continuing human cost of Yemen’s war.
With responsibility for Sunday’s attack disputed and no immediate Saudi response available, further information will be needed to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
