Hajjah Governorate airstrike

2018 Attack in Yemen

Hajjah Governorate airstrike

Part of the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Location| Bani Qa'is District, Hajjah Governorate, Yemen
Date| 22 April 2018

Attack type

| Airstrike
Deaths| Varying estimates, from 33,[1] 43,[2] up to 55 according to some sources
Perpetrators| Royal Saudi Air Force
Part of a series on the
Yemeni crisis

Main topics

* Yemeni revolution
* 2012 Yemeni presidential election
* Houthi insurgency
* al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen
* South Yemen insurgency
* Houthi takeover in Yemen
* Aftermath of the Houthi takeover in Yemen
* Yemeni civil war (2014–present)
* Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war
* COVID-19 pandemic
* Red Sea crisis

Background

* History of Yemen
* Yemeni unification
* Yemeni peace process
* Human rights in Yemen

* v
* t
* e

* v
* t
* e

Yemeni crisis

Revolution
(2011–12)

* Saada
* Sana'a
* Taiz
* Dammaj

* * *

Ansar al-Shariah campaign (2011–14)

* Zinjibar
* Dofas
* Abyan
* 2012 Sana'a
* Radda
* Nov 2013 Sanaa
* Dec 2013 Sana'a
* Rescue operations

* * *

Houthi rebellion (2014)

* 2nd Dammaj
* Amran

Civil war
(2014–present)

* 2nd Battle of Sana'a
* Rada'a [ar]
* Houthi takeover
* 1st Shabwah
* Saudi-led intervention
* Houthi–Saudi Arabian conflict
* Taiz
* Marib governorate
* Marib city
* Dhale
* Aden
* airport
* 2015
* 2018
* 2019
* Abyan
* 2015 campaign
* 2016 southern offensive
* Lahij
* 2015 Shabwah
* 2015 Mukalla
* Zinjibar and Jaar
* Nihm
* Port Midi
* Hadramaut
* Al Masini
* Battle of Mukalla
* June 2016 Mukalla
* 2017 Battle of Sana'a
* Al Hudaydah
* Al Hudaydah city
* Masini
* United Arab Emirates occupation of Socotra
* Victory from God
* Jabara
* Al-Jawf offensive
* Southern Transitional Council takeover of Socotra
* Al Bayda offensive
* 2022 Southern Yemen
* Operation Prosperity Guardian

Bombings and terrorist attacks in Yemen

* Radda
* Ibb
* Jan 2015 Sana'a
* Mar 2015 Sana'a
* Sep 2015 Sana'a
* Oct 2015 Aden
* Dec 2015 Aden
* 4 Mar 2016 Aden
* 25 Mar 2016 Aden
* May 2016 Mukalla
* May 2016 Aden
* Aug 2016 Aden
* Dec 2016 Aden
* Mar 2022 Aden
* Mar 2024 al-Bayda

Houthi missile and drone attacks in Yemen

* 2015 Marib
* 2015 Taiz
* 2016 al-Anad
* 2019 al-Anad
* Aug 2019 Aden
* Jan 2020 Marib
* Aug 2020 Marib
* Dec 2020 Aden airport
* 2021 Marib
* 2021 al-Anad

* * *

* US–Saudi arms deal
* Peace process
* United Nations Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement

Saudi-led intervention (2015–present)

Saudi Arabian airstrikes on Yemen

* Mokha
* Sana'a
* Hajjah
* Dahyan
* Dhamar
* Saada

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

* 2018 Riyadh
* Abha Airport
* Abqaiq–Khurais
* 2020 Riyadh

Houthi attacks on the United Arab Emirates

* 2022 Abu Dhabi

* * *

U.S. raids on al-Qaeda

* Yakla
* Hathla

* * *

Red Sea crisis
(2023–present)

Attacks

* Houthi hijacking of the Galaxy Leader
* Attacks on the MV Maersk Hangzhou
* Marlin Luanda missile strike
* Sinking of the MV Rubymar
* Attack on the MV True Confidence
* Attacks on the MV Tutor
* 2024 Houthi drone attack on Israel
* Attacks on the Sounion
* Attacks on the MV Maersk Hangzhou
* 2024 Tel Aviv drone attack
* 20 July 2024 Israeli attack on Yemen
* 29 September 2024 Israeli attacks on Yemen
* 26 December 2024 Israeli attack on Yemen
* 10 January 2025 Israeli attack on Yemen
* March–May 2025 United States attacks in Yemen
* 2025 Ras Isa oil terminal airstrikes
* 2025 Saada prison airstrike
* 2025 Houthi attack on Tel Aviv airport
* May 2025 Israeli attacks on Yemen

Military operations

* Operation Prosperity Guardian
* Operation Aspides
* Operation Poseidon Archer
* 30 May 2024 Yemen strikes
* Operation Outstretched Arm

Diplomacy

* United Nations Security Council Resolution 2722
* 2025 U.S.–Houthi ceasefire

Effects

* Environmental impact

Humanitarian crisis

* Blockade
* Disease outbreaks

* Cholera
* COVID-19

* Famine
* Locust infestation
* Refugees on Jeju Island
* War crimes and human rights violations

On 22 April 2018, an airstrike by the Saudi Arabian-led coalition hit a wedding in the Bani Qa'is District of Hajjah Governorate, Yemen. Casualty estimates vary, with the Houthi-owned Al-Masirah reporting the toll later that day to be at least 33 civilians including the bride.[3] Forty-five other people were injured.[4]

## Airstrike

[edit]

The Saudi Arabian-led coalition carried out two separate airstrikes in Yemen. The planes repeatedly flew over the area where the strike was being conducted, thus preventing medical personnel from treating the victims.[3] The victims were primarily women and children, who were congregating in one of the tents set up for the wedding.[5] A Houthi government spokesperson said that ambulances were initially unable to reach the scene due to the threat from jets, which continued to fly overhead.[3]

According to the Houthi officials, the strikes first targeted the men gathering at the wedding and then the women.[3]

The airstrike killed the bride and wounded the groom with shrapnel. Some of the injured children lost eyes and limbs.[6] According to Abdul Hakim Alkhulani, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry, "Due to many casualties from the coalition-led wedding attacks, field hospitals were made near the site of the attacks giving injured civilians medical treatment in order to save lives".[7] Video footage of the airstrike shows body parts scattered around the area, as well as a young boy hugging a man's body who had died from the strike.[4] According to Bellingcat, a citizen journalist organisation, the bomb was made by the American company Raytheon.[8]

## Reactions

[edit]

A spokesperson for the Saudi Arabian coalition which carried out the airstrike said, "We take this report very seriously and it will be fully investigated as all reports of this nature are".[4]

The foreign ministry spokesman of Iran, Bahram Qassemi, responded to the airstrike saying "The escalated bombardment of residential areas proves the desperation and inability of the invaders in achieving their goals".[9]

The Saba News Agency of Yemen described the airstrike as "the new genocidal crime of the Saudis".[9]

The Campaign Against Arms Trade, a UK-based organisation, responded to the incident with a criticism of the UK government, "Yemen is now in its fourth year of war, and the bombardment is getting worse. Thousands have been killed, and many more will be if it continues. Theresa May has said she wants the UK to play a positive role on the world stage, so why is her government still arming and supporting Saudi atrocities? It's time for her to put the lives of Yemeni people above the interests of arms companies."[10]

## See also

[edit]

* Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war
* Saudi-led intervention in Bahrain

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Hakim Almasmari. "Houthi political leader confirmed dead Monday; airstrikes kill more than 30 at Yemen wedding". CNN. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
2. ^ "Saudi air raids kill 43 at wedding in Yemen". Keshmir Observer. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
3. ^ a b c d Sharman, Jon; Ghantous, Ghaida; al-Haj, Ahmed (23 April 2018). "Yemen: 'At least 20 killed including bride' after airstrike by Saudi-led coalition hits wedding party". The Independent. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
4. ^ a b c Sharman, Joe; Ghantous, Ghaida (23 April 2018). "Yemen: 'At least 20 killed including bride' after airstrike by Saudi-led coalition hits wedding party". The Independent. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
5. ^ "Yemen war: Saudi-led air strike on wedding 'kills 20'". BBC News. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
6. ^ Haynes, Danielle (23 April 2018). "Airstrike kills more than 20 at Yemen wedding". United Press International. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
7. ^ Almasmari, Hakim (23 April 2018). "Houthi political leader confirmed dead Monday; airstrikes kill more than 30 at Yemen wedding". CNN. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
8. ^ Toler, Aric (27 April 2018). "American-Made Bomb Used in Airstrike on Yemen Wedding". bellingcat. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
9. ^ a b "Dozens killed in air raid on Yemen wedding: medics". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on 3 February 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
10. ^ "Yemen: After air strike on wedding, CAAT asks why is UK still arming Saudi Arabia". Independent Catholic News. 24 April 2018.

* v
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Yemeni civil war (2014–present)

* Timeline
* Outline
* Yemeni crisis

Background|

* Houthi insurgency
* Houthi takeover in Yemen
* Aftermath of the Houthi takeover in Yemen
* Battle of Sanaa (2014)
* Human rights in Yemen

Battles
and attacks|

* Shabwah Governorate offensive (2014–present)
* Battle of Aden Airport
* 2015 Sanaa mosque bombings: March and September
* Marib campaign
* Battle of Dhale
* Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen
* Battle of Aden (2015)
* Abyan campaign (March–August 2015)
* Lahij insurgency
* Houthi–Saudi Arabian conflict
* Shabwah campaign (March–August 2015)
* Battle of Mukalla (2015)
* Taiz campaign (2015–present)
* September 2015 Marib Tochka missile attack
* Aden unrest (2015–2019)
* October 2015 Aden missile attack
* 2015 Aden car bombing
* Aden Christian attack
* 2016 Aden car bombing
* 23 May 2016 Aden bombings
* August 2016 Aden bombing
* December 2016 Aden suicide bombings
* Zinjibar and Jaar
* December 2015 Taiz missile attack
* Nihm Offensive
* Battle of Port Midi
* Hadramaut insurgency
* Southern Abyan Offensive (2016)
* Abyan conflict (2016–2018)
* Battle of Mukalla (2016)
* May 2016 Yemen police bombings
* June 2016 Mukalla attacks
* 2016 Sanaa funeral airstrike
* Raid on Yakla
* Raid on Al Hathla
* Battle of Sanaa (2017)
* Battle of Aden (2018)
* Battle of Al Hudaydah
* Dahyan air strike
* 2019 Abha International Airport attacks
* Battle of the Jabara Valley
* 2019 Abqaiq–Khurais attack
* January 2020 Marib attack
* Al-Jawf offensive
* Southern Transitional Council takeover of Socotra
* Al Bayda offensive
* August 2020 Marib attack
* 2020 Aden airport attack
* Battle of Marib
* 2021 Aden bombings
* 2022 Abu Dhabi attack
* 2022 Saada prison airstrike
* 2022 Jeddah missile attack
* 2022 Southern Yemen offensive
* Red Sea Crisis (2023–)
* Timeline
* Houthi attacks on commercial vessels
* Operation Prosperity Guardian
* March–April 2025 United States attacks in Yemen
* Signal group chat leak
* Ras Isa oil terminal airstrikes

Reactions|

* Foreign involvement in the Yemeni civil war
* Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war
* United States support for Saudi Arabian–led operations in Yemen
* Blockade of Yemen
* Yemeni peace process
* United Arab Emirates occupation of Socotra
* United Nations Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement

Impacts|

* Humanitarian crisis
* Famine
* Cholera outbreak
* Airstrikes on hospitals
* Refugees on Jeju Island
* COVID-19
* Water supply and sanitation
* War crimes and human rights violations

Belligerents|

| Alimi government|

* Pro-Alimi security forces
* Saleh loyalist defectors
* Al-Islah
* Popular Resistance
* Popular Committees
* Southern Movement
* Southern Transitional Council
* Republican Guard
* Hadramout National Council

|

Houthi government|

* Supreme Political Council
* Houthis
* Pro-Saleh forces
* Supreme Revolutionary Committee

People|

| Alimi government|

* Rashad al-Alimi
* Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi
* Mahmoud al-Subaihi
* Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar
* Khaled Bahah
* Hussein Arab
* Ahmed Saleh
* Tareq Saleh

|

Houthi government|

* Saleh Ali al-Sammad
* Mohamed al-Atifi
* Mohammed al-Houthi
* Hussein Khairan
* Abdul-Malik al-Houthi
* Ali Abdullah Saleh

Related|

* United States–Houthi conflict (2023–present)
* Reactions to the Saudi-led military intervention
* List of aviation shootdowns and accidents during the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen

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