The city of Sanaa, Yemen’s ancient capital, has been left reeling after a series of Israeli airstrikes this week that targeted Iran-backed Houthi rebels but ended up inflicting heavy damage on residential neighborhoods and historic sites. The strikes, which occurred on September 10, 2025, left dozens of homes in ruins, shattered families, and deepened the humanitarian crisis in a city already battered by years of war and poverty.
According to the rebel-run health ministry in Sanaa, the toll from the airstrikes was grim: 46 people killed, including 11 women and five children, and 165 wounded. The violence did not spare the press, with 11 local journalists reportedly losing their lives in the bombardment. Most of the casualties were concentrated in Sanaa, where the shockwaves from the explosions reverberated through densely packed neighborhoods and left a trail of devastation.
As reported by The Associated Press, the strikes followed a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict. Just hours before, Houthi rebels had launched a drone that managed to evade Israel’s multilayered air defenses and crash into a southern Israeli airport. The impact blew out glass windows and injured one person, prompting Israel’s forceful response. The Israeli airstrikes targeted a range of sites: a military headquarters, a fuel station in Sanaa, a government facility in Hazm (the capital of northern Jawf province), and even the National Museum of Yemen, whose historic façade was visibly damaged in the aftermath.
But it was the residential neighborhoods—particularly the central Tahrir area of Sanaa—that bore the brunt of the destruction. Dozens of homes were reduced to rubble, leaving families with nowhere to turn. Um Talal, a resident of Tahrir, described her ordeal to The Associated Press over the phone: “Everything was lost in the blink of an eye. Authorities haven’t even called us to this day.” The airstrikes had knocked out the walls of her living room and damaged the kitchen, leaving only dirt, debris, and shattered memories. Despite the destruction, she and her children resolved to “fix what we can and continue living in our home.”
Her neighbor, Ahmed al-Wasabi, counted his blessings that his family was not at home when their house was partially destroyed. Others were not so lucky. Khaled al-Dabeai, a local grocery shop owner, recounted the terror that gripped the community: “The explosions terrified people who went running and children and women were crying and screaming.” The blasts were so powerful that they knocked products off his shelves, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the violence.
As of September 13, 2025, residents in Sanaa’s Tahrir neighborhood said they had received no assistance from local authorities, nor did they expect any. The war has left the population impoverished, and most families cannot afford the major repairs needed to make their homes livable again. “Residents told The Associated Press they cannot afford major repairs and local authorities are not offering compensation or reconstruction help,” reported The Associated Press. For many, the choice is stark: endure the ruins or risk homelessness.
The airstrikes also damaged cultural heritage. The National Museum of Yemen, a symbol of the country’s rich history, was left with a battered façade. Footage from the scene showed the extent of the damage, raising fears that years of conflict could erase irreplaceable artifacts and traditions. The rebels’ culture ministry confirmed the damage, adding to the sense of loss that pervades Sanaa’s streets.
These latest strikes are part of a long-running and complex conflict. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen including Sanaa, have been firing missiles and drones at Israel and targeting ships in the Red Sea for over 22 months. They claim to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza, framing their attacks as support for Hamas and the Palestinian cause. The Israeli government, for its part, has responded to these provocations with waves of airstrikes, aiming to degrade the Houthis’ military capabilities and deter further attacks.
The cycle of violence shows no sign of abating. On Wednesday, Houthi leader Mahdi al-Mashat issued a defiant warning to Israel, vowing to continue the attacks. “Stay alarmed since the response is coming for sure,” he declared, signaling that the Houthis would not be deterred by the latest round of airstrikes. This rhetoric has become all too familiar in a region where retaliatory attacks and counterattacks have become the norm.
The human cost of this conflict is staggering. The United Nations has long warned that Yemen faces one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions at risk of famine and disease. The latest strikes have only compounded the suffering, displacing families, destroying livelihoods, and eroding any sense of security. Aid agencies have struggled to reach those in need, hampered by ongoing fighting and a lack of resources. For many residents of Sanaa, the future looks bleak.
Journalists, too, have paid a heavy price. The death of 11 local reporters in the strikes has sent shockwaves through Yemen’s media community, which has already been operating under immense pressure and danger. Their loss is a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who strive to document the realities of war and bring the truth to light.
As residents sift through the rubble, searching for salvageable belongings and memories, a sense of abandonment hangs heavy in the air. With no compensation or help forthcoming from authorities, many are left to fend for themselves. The destruction of homes, the loss of loved ones, and the damage to cultural heritage have all contributed to a growing sense of despair.
Yet, amid the devastation, there are glimmers of resilience. Families like Um Talal’s refuse to give up, determined to rebuild with whatever resources they can muster. Their perseverance in the face of adversity is a testament to the enduring spirit of Sanaa’s people, who have weathered years of war, blockade, and hardship.
The international community has watched the latest escalation with concern, but solutions remain elusive. With the Houthis vowing continued resistance and Israel determined to respond to every attack, the prospects for peace appear distant. For the residents of Sanaa, the hope is not for grand political settlements, but for the simple chance to live in safety and dignity once again.
The aftermath of the Israeli airstrikes in Sanaa is a stark illustration of how regional conflicts can devastate ordinary lives, leaving scars that may take generations to heal. The world may move on, but for those who remain in the rubble, the struggle to rebuild—and to be heard—continues.