صَنعاء

Sana'a Governorate includes the capital city of Sana'a and its surrounding areas. Since the start of the Yemen civil war in 2014, this governorate has been the scene of intense conflict and major political and military developments.

Fall of Sana'a to Houthis (September 2014)

• Houthi forces took full control of Sana'a, Yemen's capital, after months of fighting

• President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi was forced to sign a peace agreement and form a national unity government

• This event is considered a turning point in the Yemen civil war

Seizure of the Presidential Palace (January 2015)

• Houthis captured the presidential palace and the president's residence in Sana'a

• Hadi was forced to resign and then fled to Aden and later to Saudi Arabia

• Dissolution of parliament and formation of a revolutionary committee by Houthis

Arab Coalition Airstrikes on Sana'a (March 2015 - present)

• Since the start of Operation Decisive Storm, Sana'a has been targeted by thousands of coalition airstrikes

• Targets included military bases, government facilities, Sana'a airport and Houthi ammunition depots

• Heavy damage to civilian infrastructure including residential and historical areas

Sana'a Funeral Convoy Attack (October 2016)

• One of the deadliest events of the Yemen war: coalition airstrike on a funeral ceremony in Sana'a

• Over 140 killed and 500 wounded

• Led to strong international condemnation and UN investigations

Bombing of Sana'a International Airport

• Sana'a airport has been repeatedly targeted by coalition airstrikes and rendered inoperative

• The airport has been effectively closed since 2015, with UN and Red Cross flights operating under special permission

• The August 2022 attack put the airport completely out of service for weeks

Sana'a as a Houthi Base

• Sana'a has become the political, military and administrative center of the Houthi government

• Ansar Allah uses Sana'a to command military operations on other fronts and launch missiles at Saudi Arabia

• Key facilities such as the Central Bank, state media and ministries are under Houthi control

Impact of War on Civilians in Sana'a

• Hundreds of civilians have been killed by airstrikes in Sana'a

• Severe fuel, electricity and water crises in Sana'a due to blockade and attacks

• Damage to the old markets and historical fabric of Sana'a (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

• More than half of Sana'a's population depends on humanitarian aid