Yemen: Saudi-led coalition airstrikes kill 20 in Hajjah province April 22

Event

On Sunday, April 22, Saudi-led coalition airstrikes killed at least 20 people and wounded 30 others attending a wedding in Bani Qa'is district (Hajjah province). Local health officials claimed that the strikes were even more deadly, stating that they had received at least 40 bodies at a hospital in the city of Hajjah.

Context

The Saudi-led coalition has carried out thousands of airstrikes in Yemen since its intervention began in 2015. Hundreds of Yemeni civilians have been killed in the strikes, which have hit schools, hospitals, and markets, in addition to Houthi militant positions and personnel.

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. More than 10,000 Yemenis have died in the fighting and over 2.5 million have been displaced.

Advice

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.