On a rain-soaked Tuesday in Sanaa, Yemen, a somber procession unfolded as hundreds gathered to mourn 31 journalists reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes just days earlier. The funerals, broadcast by Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, showed rows of coffins inside the al-Shaab mosque, each draped in silence and grief, as an honor guard stood by. Despite the gravity of the loss, the turnout was notably smaller than anticipated—a detail attributed to heavy morning rain that kept many away, according to eyewitnesses Khaled Rageh and Ahmed Malhy, who spoke to The Associated Press.
The tragedy stems from a series of Israeli airstrikes launched on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, targeting the Houthi-held capital of Sanaa and other sites in Yemen. The strikes came in retaliation for a drone attack by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who managed to breach Israel’s multilayered air defenses and strike Ramon Airport in southern Israel. The impact shattered glass windows and left one person injured, though not critically. This breach, rare and alarming, prompted Israel to respond with force, aiming at what it described as “military infrastructure” and “sites used by the Houthis to gather intelligence and attack Israel,” according to an Israeli military statement cited by the Associated Press.
But the consequences in Yemen were devastating. According to the health ministry in the Houthi-controlled north, dozens were killed in the strikes, with the 31 journalists among the dead. The attacks hit residential areas, a military headquarters, a fuel station, and even the National Museum of Yemen, whose façade was visibly damaged in the aftermath—images of the destruction circulated by the rebel culture ministry. A government facility in Hazm, the capital of northern Jawf province, was also struck.
As funeral prayers echoed through the mosque, Al-Masirah TV’s cameras captured the ceremonial send-off, the caskets paraded with solemnity, and the honor guard’s silent tribute. Yet, the loss felt heavier given the subdued attendance. “The turnout was lower than expected for such a huge loss,” Rageh and Malhy told AP, suggesting the relentless rain had played a part in keeping mourners away.
The airstrikes mark the latest escalation in a conflict that has seen Yemen’s Houthi movement and Israel trading blows, both directly and by proxy. The Houthis, who have fired missiles and drones at Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea for over 22 months, claim their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. “Our air defenses are currently confronting the Israeli aircrafts that are launching an aggression against our country,” Houthi spokesperson Yayha Saree posted on X, adding that Houthi air defenses “caused great confusion” for Israeli aircraft and forced some to leave Yemeni airspace before carrying out their attacks.
Israel, for its part, maintains that the Hudaydah Port and other sites in Yemen are being used by the Houthi “terrorist regime” for the transfer of Iranian-supplied weapons, which are then used to execute attacks against Israel and its allies. The Israeli military’s statement emphasized that last week’s strikes also targeted a public relations department “responsible for distributing propaganda messages in the media.”
Yet, the toll on Yemen’s press corps has sent shockwaves through the international community. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) told The Associated Press that it is still actively investigating the reported deaths of the 31 journalists. The task, however, is fraught with difficulty. “The information environment is highly restricted — Houthi authorities have imposed strict censorship, including a ban on sharing photos or videos related to the airstrikes,” CPJ explained, underscoring the challenges of verifying facts on the ground in rebel-held Sanaa.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) also weighed in, noting that Israeli airstrikes in Sanaa had hit a media center housing the headquarters of two newspapers. “The recent Israeli forces’ attack further highlights the threats journalists are facing in Yemen, not just by domestic authorities but also by external warring parties,” HRW said in a statement. Mohammed al-Basha, a Yemen analyst, added on X that the strikes hit as staffers at the “September 26” newspaper were gathered to prepare the next edition—a detail that makes the loss feel all the more immediate and personal for Yemen’s besieged media community.
The targeting of journalists and media facilities has drawn condemnation and concern from rights groups worldwide. The New York-based Human Rights Watch described the attacks as another example of the dangers facing journalists in Yemen, a country where the press has long operated under threat from both local authorities and foreign actors. The CPJ’s ongoing investigation is hampered not only by censorship but by the chaos and opacity that often accompany armed conflict.
The broader context of the strikes cannot be ignored. Yemen’s civil war, now in its second decade, has drawn in regional and international powers, with the Houthis backed by Iran and their adversaries supported by a Saudi-led coalition. Israel’s involvement, triggered by direct threats to its territory and interests, adds a new layer of complexity—and risk. The Houthis’ attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes, often targeting vessels they allege are linked to Israel, have further escalated tensions in a region already on edge.
For many Yemenis, the latest violence is a grim reminder of the conflict’s toll on civilians and civil society. The strikes that killed the journalists also destroyed homes, damaged cultural landmarks, and left families mourning loved ones. The funerals, though less crowded than expected, were a testament to the resilience of a community that continues to bear witness—even as the risks of doing so grow ever greater.
As the world watches, the deaths of these 31 journalists highlight the perilous intersection of war, press freedom, and the search for truth in Yemen. Their loss is not just a local tragedy but a stark warning of the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones worldwide—where censorship, violence, and impunity too often prevail over transparency and accountability.
In the end, the rain in Sanaa may have kept some mourners away, but it could not wash away the sense of loss felt across Yemen’s beleaguered media community. The coffins carried through the mosque, the prayers recited, and the stories left unwritten all speak to the enduring cost of conflict—and the courage required to report from its front lines.