Saudi airstrikes in Yemen’s northern al-Jawf province hit a market and a gas station on Wednesday, killing at least 14 civilians, according to the Health Ministry within the Ansar Allah-led Yemeni government.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the crime that targeted civilians in Al-Jawf Governorate, which, according to the initial toll, resulted in the martyrdom of 14 citizens and the injury of 15 others,” the Health Ministry wrote on Telegram.
The ministry said the strikes hit the “al-Hazm Central Market during peak shopping hours, several residential homes surrounding the market, and a gas station in the same area.” It stressed that the casualty count was a “preliminary toll,” suggesting that it could rise.
The Saudi bombing campaign has had a devastating impact on Yemeni civilians since Riyadh reignited the war back in July by bombing the Sanaa International Airport. Saudi airstrikes escalated in early September when Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, launched a ground offensive against Saudi-backed forces on the ground.
According to the Yemen Data Project, Saudi airstrikes killed at least 66 civilians in September, and the civilian casualties appear to have significantly escalated in October. On October 21, the Health Ministry said that since July, Saudi airstrikes and attacks by Saudi-backed Yemeni forces have killed 155 civilians.
The US has up to 200 military advisors in Saudi Arabia to provide intelligence and targeting support for the bombing campaign. The US also resumed refueling Saudi warplanes, a form of support the US cut off back in 2018 due to pressure from Congress.
