Yemen: 35 dead after Sana’a hotel airstrike August 23

Event

At least 35 people died from an alleged Saudi airstrike on a hotel near a Houthi-controlled checkpoint north of Sana'a on Wednesday, August 23. Reports say the upper floors of the hotel were reduced to rubble from the attack. Saudi coalition forces announced they are investigating the event, but did not provide further detail. Unverified reports from a Houthi news source have reported that the death toll rose to at least 46 people.

Context

This attack is the latest in a series of Saudi-led coalition bombings that have allegedly hit schools, hospitals, markets, and private homes across Yemen.

Yemen is engaged in a complex and deadly conflict, ongoing since Houthi rebels entered into a civil war with the Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, in 2015. Two rounds of UN-backed peace talks have failed to resolve the conflict. Approximately 10,000 Yemenis have died in the fighting and over 2.5 million are displaced. The devastating war has also sparked a cholera outbreak, which as affected approximately 350,000 people to date.

Advice

The security environment in Yemen remains complex. Due to poor security conditions, many Western governments strongly advise their citizens against all travel to Yemen. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.