Yemen: Airstrikes in Sana’a following Saleh’s death Dec. 5 /update 3

Event

According to UN humanitarian aid officials, at least 25 airstrikes targeting government buildings, palaces, and bridges were reported in the capital city of Sana’a overnight from Monday to Tuesday, December 4-5. Many residents were reportedly forced to shelter in place with reduced access to water, food, medical care, and fuel. Following five days of deadly clashes, fighting in the capital has reportedly subsided. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported that at least 234 people have been killed and 400 wounded in recent street fighting clashes between Shi’a Houthi rebels and supporters of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was killed on Monday. This casualty toll is in addition to those who have died in airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition, which occur on a near daily basis and often affect civilians.

Additionally, Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi - currently in self-imposed exile in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - called on supporters to rise up against the Houthi rebels following Saleh’s assassination. Hadi was formerly Saleh’s deputy in the government before coming to power in 2012, although Saleh aligned with the Houthi rebels against Hadi when the civil war broke out. The Yemeni army has reportedly been deployed towards Sana’a.

Tensions remain high and continued violent clashes and airstrikes in Sana’a are likely in the coming days. A funeral for former President Saleh is expected to take place on December 5.

Context

On Monday, December 4, former President Saleh was shot dead by Houthi rebels in Sana'a in retaliation for effectively switching sides in the conflict and aligning himself with Saudi-led coalition - a move that the Houthis called a "coup." Saleh and the Houthi rebels previously formed an alliance to oppose the Saudi-led coalition, the Hadi-led government in Aden and allied forces, and Sunni Islamist extremist organizations such as Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State (IS) in the ongoing war. The Houthis control most of northern Yemen, including many significant population centers. Following Saleh’s death, rising tensions and instability have threatened to worsen the conflict that has already provoked a widespread humanitarian crisis. Saudi Arabia claims that Houthi forces are Iranian proxies and have waged an intense air campaign and instituted a blockade on Yemen's air, land, and sea ports to curb the potential expansion of their influence and increasing control over the country's north.

Yemen has been engaged in a complex and deadly conflict since Houthi rebels started fighting the international coalition-backed government in 2015. In total, approximately 10,000 Yemenis have died in the fighting and around 3 million have been displaced. The war has also sparked a cholera outbreak, which has affected over 925,000 people to date. Approximately 20.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and the crisis has placed an overwhelming strain on the country's struggling health system. Major health facilities have been destroyed in the conflict and aid deliveries are often blocked by rebels, stolen, or destroyed. Yemen is also affected by widespread famine. Approximately 17 million people - two-thirds of the population of Yemen - are food insecure, according to the World Food Program. Human rights organization CARE reports that roughly two-thirds of the population is without regular access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

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.