The renewed conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi group has entered its fifth month, with no clear political solution in sight.
Sanaa's Health Ministry said that deaths and injuries from Saudi airstrikes since July have exceeded 1,000. The latest strikes targeted residential homes in Bani Hushaysh district, east of Yemen's capital Sanaa. The Houthis have warned that continued war and blockade will only strengthen support for the group, adding that their armed forces still have military surprises in store.
In the latest military escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, 33 people were killed and 39 others injured, according to the Sanaa Ministry of Health.
The casualties resulted from Saudi airstrikes targeting residential homes and civil defence teams in Al-Shariyah village, east of Sanaa.
Footage filmed by China Global Television Network (CGTN) captures the extent of the destruction caused by the airstrikes. As air operations continue across several parts of Yemen, survivors and eyewitnesses have also described the damage to reporters.
"Residential homes in Bani Hushaysh District were targeted. They were occupied by civilians, including children. Most of the victims were women and children. As you can see, victims are still trapped under the rubble, and rescue teams are trying to pull them out. The airstrikes also targeted paramedics. Two volunteer rescuers who rushed to help and provide first aid to the victims were among those killed," said Mohammed Saleh, a local eyewitness.
"Civilians here in the Al-Shariyah area were targeted. People living peacefully and safely in their homes were targeted without any justification, including women and children," said Mohammed Al-Adadi, another eyewitness.
According to sources in Sanaa, Saudi Arabia launched 107 airstrikes on the capital and several other Yemeni provinces over the past 24 hours.
In response, the Houthi group said it had conducted six military operations inside Saudi Arabia, targeting King Khalid International Airport, Saudi Aramco oil facilities, and military sites and troop concentrations in Najran.
"We are prepared for all possible options, including a full-scale and widespread confrontation with Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we have nothing to lose. We have suffered losses, particularly to civilian infrastructure, over the past 12 years. But now, Saudi Arabia is the biggest loser in this war and will pay a heavy price," said Ali Al-Dailami, a member of the Houthi Political Bureau.
As attacks spread, rhetoric and threats between the two sides are also intensifying. Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Supreme Political Council in Sanaa, vowed retaliation for the targeting of civilians.
Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted a missile heading toward the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The incident underscores the escalating confrontation, with attacks increasingly reaching deep into Saudi territory.
As airstrikes, missile attacks and drone operations continue, the confrontation is spilling beyond Yemen's borders, posing growing threats to Saudi Arabia's security and critical infrastructure across the region. Questions remain over how far the escalation could go and whether it can be contained before developing into a wider regional conflict.
Civilian casualties mount as Saudi airstrikes, Houthi retaliatory strikes intensify Yemen's war
