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) [2], 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. [3]
Also read: “We Walk Around Death,” Tweets a Yemeni Blogger about the Horrors of War [4]
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 [5], 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 [6] 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 [7]
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 [8]
Two MEG29 aircrafts were destroyed in Sanaa Airport in one #KSA [9] Airstrikes. #Yemen [10] pic.twitter.com/jeWCDxGHW8 [11]
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) March 30, 2015 [12]
Pictures of the damage in #Hodeidah [13] Airport targeted last night by #DecisiveStorm [14] raids. #Yemen [10] pic.twitter.com/JyrYazFSMb [15]
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) March 29, 2015 [16]
#DecisiveStorm [14] raids targeted the newly built Saada Airport, northern #Yemen [10]. It started operation this month. pic.twitter.com/AHPQxUuKpr [17]
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) March 30, 2015 [18]
Pictures are from #Aden [19] where Houthi/Saleh forces continue to target the residential areas. #Yemen [10] #DecisiveStorm [14] pic.twitter.com/lLs2QjO5Gd [20]
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) April 16, 2015 [21]
A man sits on the rubble of his home in Aden, Yemen (via @ORHamilton [22]) (Photo by Saleh Bahales) pic.twitter.com/xpwD1Yptfd [23]
— Sara Yasin (@missyasin) April 10, 2015 [24]
Man looks at his house destroyed by #Saudi [25] airstrike Tues 31 March near #Sanaa [26] Airport #Yemen [10] http://t.co/blLL58zWx1 [27] pic.twitter.com/ZgEYD6jZ66 [28]
— Jamila Hanan (@JamilaHanan) April 7, 2015 [29]
This is my friend Madih's bedroom before and after #Houthies [30] attack in #Aden [19] #yemen [31] pic.twitter.com/QsnJIgTDnH [32]
— FaizahAl-sulimani (@faizahsulimani) April 9, 2015 [33]
Local sources: More than 16 petrol station have been targeted today by airstrikes #OpDecisiveStorm [34] in #Saadah [35] #Yemen [10] pic.twitter.com/9tyXyKUeL5 [36]
— ~• A. Sayaghi •~ (@AhmedSayaghi) April 15, 2015 [37]
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 [10]. Up in flames. pic.twitter.com/LnPvZRLtSO [38]
— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) April 10, 2015 [39]
— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) April 11, 2015 [40]
Footage of the destruction of the People Palace in #Taiz [41], next to my college. It is a symbol of pride. #Yemen [10] pic.twitter.com/INMRwWSgHY [42]
— Mohammed Al-Asaadi (@alasaadim) April 17, 2015 [43]
Close-up pictures of the destroyed People Palace n #Taiz [41]. This palace was built by the most loved Prz AlHamdi. #Yemen [10] pic.twitter.com/CFC4zYydhN [44]
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) April 17, 2015 [45]
Examples of damages in Aden city which is under nonstop brutal attack from Houthi/Saleh forces. #Yemen [10] pic.twitter.com/3UBcvLS7IT [46]
— Hafez Albukari (@hafezbukari) April 8, 2015 [47]
wheat silos and Radfan Tobacco factory in Aden have been destroyed by Saudi air strikes.they r really helping #Yemen [10] pic.twitter.com/2V8i1vcCAf [48]
— Hamed Yemen (@HamedGhaleb) April 9, 2015 [49]
Air strikes destroyed palace hotel in #aden [50] #Yemen [10] #KefayaWar [51] pic.twitter.com/5AP5tEYg0S [52]
— Nisma Alozebi (@NismaAlozebi) April 8, 2015 [53]
Now, Al-Mualla street's buildings are being shelled in #Aden [19]. #Yemen [10] #Houthis [54] #DecisiveStorm [14] pic.twitter.com/TR3DXBS9Ke [55]
Destruction in #Saada [56] after #OpDecisiveStorm [34] bombarded houses & non military sites, innocent ppl died too #Yemen [10] pic.twitter.com/0uIjzmnwnK [57]
— amal suqaf (@amalsuqaf) April 16, 2015 [58]
Houthi tanks shell a residential building in Mualla, #Aden [19]. #الحوثيين [59] يقصفون مبنى في المعلا، #عدن [60] #Yemen [10] #اليمن [61] pic.twitter.com/7idfJP5mtf [62]
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 11, 2015 [63]
Six #Saudi [25] Airstrikes in Haradth border crossing city. Six killed…all civilians. #Yemen [10] #اليمن [61] pic.twitter.com/fU4yYa4Tan [64]
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 21, 2015 [65]
Destruction in heart of Sanaa. #Saudi [25] airstrike targets residential building in Jiraf district of #Yemen [10] capital. pic.twitter.com/xXEtRc2DE0 [66]
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 8, 2015 [67]
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) April 4, 2015 [68]
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 [69]
— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) April 16, 2015 [70]
Just 5yrs ago Yemen #Aden [19] host #Gulf [71] Cup opening ceremony @ 22nd May Stadium. Now blown 2 pieces #KefayaWar [51] pic.twitter.com/dudA3pifL8 [72]
— Wesam Qaid (@Wesamqaid) April 9, 2015 [73]
This used to be Ibb #Football [74] Stadium before a #Saudi [25] airstrike…. Completely destroyed. #Yemen [10] #اليمن [61] pic.twitter.com/6fFyMCSPkb [75]
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 14, 2015 [76]
At least 29 people were killed last night when Saudi attacked a Milk and Yogurt factory in Hodieda. #Yemen [10] pic.twitter.com/YWavKss008 [77]
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 1, 2015 [78]
Elementary school targeted by Saudi airstrike in Sahar, Saadah province. #Yemen [10] #OpDecisiveStorm [34] #عاصفة_الحزم [79] #اليمن [61] pic.twitter.com/0rbYGLNZFB [80]
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 9, 2015 [81]
Hodieda #university [82] after #Saudi [25] airstrike. No students were inside as schools are closed due to war. #Yemen [10] #اليمن [61] pic.twitter.com/FYBmTpSEQv [83]
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 11, 2015 [84]
Bridge linking Taiz to Lahj province…. Destroyed by #Saudi [25] airstrike. #Yemen [10] #OpDecisiveStorm [34] #عاصفة_الحزم [79] #اليمن [61] pic.twitter.com/XG0gT9Cc0n [85]
— Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) April 6, 2015 [86]
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 [34] pic.twitter.com/MzfvQUD1l9 [87]
— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) April 20, 2015 [1]
Clear photo for the massive explosion in Faj-Attan yesterday which completely destroyed the whole neighborhood #Yemen [10] pic.twitter.com/AFwEUYWCaf [88]
— Ala'a Assamawy (@assamawy) April 21, 2015 [89]
The mother of all explosions. My apartment destroyed. pic.twitter.com/6uSUFRvMm9 [90]
— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) April 20, 2015 [91]
Our five-floor building was all damaged&people from my neighborhood came out w/ blood pouring of their bodies #Yemen [10] https://t.co/1RYaCuhsSm [92]
— Osama Abdullah (@PoliticsYemen) April 20, 2015 [93]
This is how walking the dog looks like in my neighborhood today . Faj Attan bombing aftermath. Copyrighted. pic.twitter.com/ZuOtmnnhl8 [94]
— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) April 22, 2015 [95]
Glass gate of #Sanaa [26] University, Faculty of commerce is broken. It's 15km away from area of today explosion. #Yemen [10] pic.twitter.com/l0jAVLORdi [96]
— A. Sayaghi •| (@AhmedSayaghi) April 20, 2015 [97]
Images of the #OpDecisiveStorm [34] air strike on Al-Daleel Bridge at the end of Sumarah Road in Ibb. #Yemen [10] pic.twitter.com/nlX1sTevTM [98]
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) April 21, 2015 [99]
Operation Decisive Storm and its airstrikes, the ongoing fighting [100] 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 [101]
Some wondered what Operation Restore Hope would bring?
Ruba Aleryani, resiliently tweeted:
#OpOurYemen [102] because we don't need another country to restore hope for us. We are resilient and will do whatever it takes to restore #Yemen [10].
— Ruba A. (@raleryan) April 21, 2015 [103]