The authorities installed by the Houthi rebels in Yemen reported late this Sunday the death of four civilians and four others injured as a result of a series of attacks attributed to the military coalition led by Saudi Arabia in the governorate of Al Jawf, in the north of the country.
According to details provided by the Health Ministry controlled by the Houthis, the bombings targeted telecommunications towers located in the district of Jab wa ash Shaaf —in the interior of the western half of Yemen and bordering Saudi Arabia— causing the death of four employees who were working at those facilities and leaving three other colleagues injured, according to the statement released by the Yemeni agency SABA.
The same agency has reported simultaneously and within a similar time frame airstrikes against the Al Matun complex, also in the province of Al Jawf, as well as on the districts of Al Daher and Haydan, in the neighboring governorate of Saada, without an official count of possible victims in these areas being provided so far.
This information has come to light just hours after the military spokesman for the Houthi forces, Yahya Sari, indicated that in the 24 hours prior to his appearance, "Saudi combat aircraft have launched 28 airstrikes with F-15 and Typhoon planes, which took off from the air bases of Khamis Mushait and Taif."
The spokesman added that "these attacks were directed against the provinces of Taiz, Al Jawf, and Marib, bringing the total number of airstrikes since the beginning of the Saudi escalation against our country and our people to 760."
This new round of bombings takes place in a context of strong escalation of the conflict, both on the internal front between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government forces, and on the regional level between the Yemeni insurgency and the coalition led by Riyadh. Tension has particularly increased after the Houthi militia announced a maritime blockade following reports of Saudi attacks against their positions.
Meanwhile, the offensive initiated in early September by the rebels on the western coast of Yemen continues, which has allowed them to consolidate control over several strategic localities around the Bab el Mandeb strait and has caused the displacement of more than 100,000 people, according to data provided by the United Nations.