Airstrikes hit a gas facility and Yemen Petroleum Company building in Sanaa, igniting fires and damaging nearby homes and shops. The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia as escalating hostilities raised concerns over civilian casualties and further destruction in Yemen.
Airstrikes struck a gas facility and a building belonging to the Yemen Petroleum Company in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Tuesday, triggering fires, damaging nearby residential properties and intensifying concerns over the escalating conflict between the Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia. The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for the attacks, which reportedly targeted two separate locations in the capital.
According to the Houthi-run al-Masirah television channel, the first reported airstrike hit the Al-Mafzar gas station in the Bani al-Harith district, located in the northern part of Sanaa. The attack reportedly set several gas tanker trailers ablaze, creating a major fire at the facility. Civil defence teams were deployed to the location and were working to bring the flames under control.
In a separate attack, warplanes reportedly struck a building belonging to the Yemen Petroleum Company in the southern part of the capital. The state-owned company operates under Houthi control and is responsible for distributing and marketing fuel across the country.
The reported strikes also caused damage to nearby homes and commercial establishments, including shops, according to al-Masirah TV. The explosions reportedly shook surrounding neighbourhoods, raising alarm among residents living close to the targeted locations.
A local resident, speaking to China’s Xinhua News Agency, said the powerful explosions were felt across nearby residential areas. Several houses reportedly sustained partial damage, while families were forced to leave their homes as fires continued to spread.
Emergency response teams were working to control the fires and assess the damage. However, the full extent of the destruction remained unclear at the time of reporting. There were no immediate reports of casualties in connection with Tuesday’s reported attacks.
Saudi authorities had not issued an immediate comment regarding the allegations made by the Houthis. The circumstances surrounding the airstrikes and the extent of the damage could not be independently established from the initial reports.
The latest attacks came amid escalating hostilities between the Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia, raising fresh concerns about the security situation in Yemen. The Houthis have repeatedly claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi airports, oil installations and military facilities. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition has intensified its aerial operations against areas under Houthi control.
The latest developments also followed deadly airstrikes reported in a village near Sanaa on Saturday, highlighting the growing risks faced by civilians in the conflict-affected country.
According to al-Masirah TV, at least 11 people were killed when Saudi warplanes allegedly carried out airstrikes on Ash Sharyah village in the Bani Hushaysh district, east of the Yemeni capital. The channel reported that five residential houses were destroyed in the attacks, with women and children among those killed.
The head of the district’s health office told al-Masirah TV that rescue teams had recovered 11 bodies from the rubble. However, the death toll was described as preliminary, as search and recovery operations continued in the affected area.
The channel further alleged that Saudi warplanes conducted two additional airstrikes targeting rescue workers and struck roads leading to the village. Military aircraft were also reportedly continuing to fly over the area, complicating emergency response efforts.
The reported attacks have added to concerns over civilian safety, particularly in residential areas where airstrikes can cause extensive destruction and disrupt essential services.
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With tensions continuing to rise, the latest incidents underline the fragile security situation in Yemen and the potential for further escalation between the opposing sides. Damage to fuel infrastructure, residential buildings and commercial properties could also deepen the difficulties faced by communities already affected by years of conflict.
As the situation develops, attention remains focused on the humanitarian consequences, the safety of civilians and the possibility of further military action across the country.
Source: Xinhua News Agency and Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.
