Photos Show Homes, Schools, Bridges, Airports, and Stadiums Destroyed in Yemen War · Global Voices
Noon Arabia

The biggest airstrike reported shook the capital Sanaa on April 20. On Twitter, @ammar82 shares this photograph from the blast site, in a residential area. The bombing has left dozens of people dead and hundreds injured
Arab coalition forces have been pounding Yemen with airstrikes for a month. Their assault has not been limited to military sites or their main target, tribal fighters the Houthis, who took control of Yemen's capital Sana'a from President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in January.
There is also massive destruction in the beautiful southern port city Aden, where the Houthis have been pushing their response, along with forces loyal to Yemen's former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Saleh stepped down after three decades as president following popular protests in 2011, and handed power to Hadi through a deal brokered by the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), led by Saudi Arabia. The same countries are currently bombing Yemen. Saleh still controls most of Yemen's army units and wields influence in the world's poorest Arab country.
Also read: “We Walk Around Death,” Tweets a Yemeni Blogger about the Horrors of War
A published report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on April 17 summarises the vast destruction:
Civilian infrastructure has been destroyed, damaged and disrupted as a result of the fighting, including at least five hospitals (Sana’a, Al Dhale’e and Aden), 15 schools and educational institutions (Aden, Al Dhale’e, and Sana’a), the three main national airports (Sana’a, Aden and Hudaydah), and at least two bridges, two factories and four mosques in Al Dhale’e. Reports have also been received of damage to local markets, power stations, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in Aden, Hajjah and Sa’ada. Civilians’ private homes are being directly affected by airstrikes and armed clashes, particularly in the south.
Saudi Arabia, leading the military operation in the war in Yemen, announced on April 21 that it was ending Operation Decisive storm after reaching its aims and is starting Operation Restoring Hope, which aims at finding a political solution in the country it had been bombing for the last four weeks. A total of 944 people have been killed and 3,487 injured in fighting in Yemen since Saudi Arabia launched its military campaign on March 26.
Also read: Electricity, Food and Fuel Shortages Increase Suffering of Yemenis as Saudi-Coalition Bombs Continue to Fall
The majority of these powerful photographs and videos show the vast devastation and destruction caused by the US-backed Saudi Arabia-led Operation Decisive Storm airstrikes, while some are by the Houthi/Saleh tank bombardments.
Yemen Updates and other Twitter users shared news and images of the massive destruction, across Yemeni cities, caused by the war.
UN, civilian infrastructure, including schools, health facilities, markets, power plants and warehouses has been damaged by fighting.
— Zaid al-Alaya'a (@zaidaahmed) April 10, 2015
Two MEG29 aircrafts were destroyed in Sanaa Airport in one #KSA Airstrikes. #Yemen pic.twitter.com/jeWCDxGHW8
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) March 30, 2015
Pictures of the damage in #Hodeidah Airport targeted last night by #DecisiveStorm raids. #Yemen pic.twitter.com/JyrYazFSMb
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) March 29, 2015
#DecisiveStorm raids targeted the newly built Saada Airport, northern #Yemen. It started operation this month. pic.twitter.com/AHPQxUuKpr
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) March 30, 2015
Pictures are from #Aden where Houthi/Saleh forces continue to target the residential areas. #Yemen #DecisiveStorm pic.twitter.com/lLs2QjO5Gd
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) April 16, 2015
A man sits on the rubble of his home in Aden, Yemen (via @ORHamilton) (Photo by Saleh Bahales) pic.twitter.com/xpwD1Yptfd
— Sara Yasin (@missyasin) April 10, 2015
Man looks at his house destroyed by #Saudi airstrike Tues 31 March near #Sanaa Airport #Yemen http://t.co/blLL58zWx1 pic.twitter.com/ZgEYD6jZ66
— Jamila Hanan (@JamilaHanan) April 7, 2015
This is my friend Madih's bedroom before and after #Houthies attack in #Aden #yemen pic.twitter.com/QsnJIgTDnH
— FaizahAl-sulimani (@faizahsulimani) April 9, 2015
Local sources: More than 16 petrol station have been targeted today by airstrikes #OpDecisiveStorm in #Saadah #Yemen pic.twitter.com/9tyXyKUeL5
— ~• A. Sayaghi •~ (@AhmedSayaghi) April 15, 2015
Yesterday coalition airstrikes targeted the main water tower, power generators & cooking gas only station in Sa'daa city north. Locals said
Aden's biggest flour mills & silos: 5500 tones/d. 170,000 ton capacity. A main source for whole #Yemen. Up in flames. pic.twitter.com/LnPvZRLtSO
— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) April 10, 2015
— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) April 11, 2015
Footage of the destruction of the People Palace in #Taiz, next to my college. It is a symbol of pride. #Yemen pic.twitter.com/INMRwWSgHY
— Mohammed Al-Asaadi (@alasaadim) April 17, 2015
Close-up pictures of the destroyed People Palace n #Taiz. This palace was built by the most loved Prz AlHamdi. #Yemen pic.twitter.com/CFC4zYydhN
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) April 17, 2015
Examples of damages in Aden city which is under nonstop brutal attack from Houthi/Saleh forces. #Yemen pic.twitter.com/3UBcvLS7IT
— Hafez Albukari (@hafezbukari) April 8, 2015
wheat silos and Radfan Tobacco factory in Aden have been destroyed by Saudi air strikes.they r really helping #Yemen pic.twitter.com/2V8i1vcCAf
— Hamed Yemen (@HamedGhaleb) April 9, 2015
Air strikes destroyed palace hotel in #aden #Yemen #KefayaWar pic.twitter.com/5AP5tEYg0S
— Nisma Alozebi (@NismaAlozebi) April 8, 2015
Now, Al-Mualla street's buildings are being shelled in #Aden. #Yemen #Houthis #DecisiveStorm pic.twitter.com/TR3DXBS9Ke
Destruction in #Saada after #OpDecisiveStorm bombarded houses & non military sites, innocent ppl died too #Yemen pic.twitter.com/0uIjzmnwnK
— amal suqaf (@amalsuqaf) April 16, 2015
Houthi tanks shell a residential building in Mualla, #Aden. #الحوثيين يقصفون مبنى في المعلا، #عدن #Yemen #اليمن pic.twitter.com/7idfJP5mtf
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 11, 2015
Six #Saudi Airstrikes in Haradth border crossing city. Six killed…all civilians. #Yemen #اليمن pic.twitter.com/fU4yYa4Tan
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 21, 2015
Destruction in heart of Sanaa. #Saudi airstrike targets residential building in Jiraf district of #Yemen capital. pic.twitter.com/xXEtRc2DE0
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 8, 2015
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) April 4, 2015
A friend of mine just finished building his farmhouse in Hajja. Got blown up by Saudi jets. He denies any Houthi ties pic.twitter.com/4peZ0qUaO6
— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) April 16, 2015
Just 5yrs ago Yemen #Aden host #Gulf Cup opening ceremony @ 22nd May Stadium. Now blown 2 pieces #KefayaWar pic.twitter.com/dudA3pifL8
— Wesam Qaid (@Wesamqaid) April 9, 2015
This used to be Ibb #Football Stadium before a #Saudi airstrike…. Completely destroyed. #Yemen #اليمن pic.twitter.com/6fFyMCSPkb
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 14, 2015
At least 29 people were killed last night when Saudi attacked a Milk and Yogurt factory in Hodieda. #Yemen pic.twitter.com/YWavKss008
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 1, 2015
Elementary school targeted by Saudi airstrike in Sahar, Saadah province. #Yemen #OpDecisiveStorm #عاصفة_الحزم #اليمن pic.twitter.com/0rbYGLNZFB
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 9, 2015
Hodieda #university after #Saudi airstrike. No students were inside as schools are closed due to war. #Yemen #اليمن pic.twitter.com/FYBmTpSEQv
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 11, 2015
Bridge linking Taiz to Lahj province…. Destroyed by #Saudi airstrike. #Yemen #OpDecisiveStorm #عاصفة_الحزم #اليمن pic.twitter.com/XG0gT9Cc0n
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 6, 2015
The biggest airstrike reported shook the capital Sanaa on April 20. It was targeting a weapon depot in Faj Attan, which was in a residential area and the massive explosion caused dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries along with the destruction of properties.
How reckless is it to drop such a massive bomb on a heavily populated city??? #OpDecisiveStorm pic.twitter.com/MzfvQUD1l9
— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) April 20, 2015
Clear photo for the massive explosion in Faj-Attan yesterday which completely destroyed the whole neighborhood #Yemen pic.twitter.com/AFwEUYWCaf
— Ala'a Assamawy (@assamawy) April 21, 2015
The mother of all explosions. My apartment destroyed. pic.twitter.com/6uSUFRvMm9
— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) April 20, 2015
Our five-floor building was all damaged&people from my neighborhood came out w/ blood pouring of their bodies #Yemen https://t.co/1RYaCuhsSm
— Osama Abdullah (@PoliticsYemen) April 20, 2015
This is how walking the dog looks like in my neighborhood today . Faj Attan bombing aftermath. Copyrighted. pic.twitter.com/ZuOtmnnhl8
— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) April 22, 2015
Glass gate of #Sanaa University, Faculty of commerce is broken. It's 15km away from area of today explosion. #Yemen pic.twitter.com/l0jAVLORdi
— A. Sayaghi •| (@AhmedSayaghi) April 20, 2015
Images of the #OpDecisiveStorm air strike on Al-Daleel Bridge at the end of Sumarah Road in Ibb. #Yemen pic.twitter.com/nlX1sTevTM
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) April 21, 2015
Operation Decisive Storm and its airstrikes, the ongoing fighting by Houthi and Saleh militia in Taiz, Mareb and the southern governorates has caused death and destruction across Yemen as many innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire.
Also read: GV Tracking the Destruction of Infrastructure in Yemen
Some wondered what Operation Restore Hope would bring?
Ruba Aleryani, resiliently tweeted:
#OpOurYemen because we don't need another country to restore hope for us. We are resilient and will do whatever it takes to restore #Yemen.
— Ruba A. (@raleryan) April 21, 2015