Saudi Airstrike Kills 16 Civilians in Yemen, Including Seven Children

Houthis threaten retaliation if Saudi attacks continue

Adding to the large number of civilian deaths over the last several days, Saudi Arabia carried out two airstrikes Tuesday against the Dale Province, killing at least 16 civilians and wounding 9 others. The slain included 7 children.

The attacks destroyed a house in the province, near where fighting between pro-Saudi forces and Yemen’s Houthi movement were taking place. Dale has been contested for months, despite being in what tended to be pro-government territory.

This was the latest of several days of attacks, after the Houthis offered a mutual ceasefire on Friday. The Saudis expressed surprise at the ceasefire offer, but have not answered, beyond escalating the attacks.

The Houthis are warning that they will respond with more “painful” attacks if the Saudis continue their attacks. The Houthis claimed credit for drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure earlier this month.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.