Sana'a:The death toll following Saudi airstrikes on a village near Yemen's capital has now reached 40, with an additional 40 individuals wounded, as reported by the Health Ministry in Sana'a.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the airstrikes targeted homes in the Al-Shariya village, located in the Bani Hushaysh District of Sana'a Governorate, on Saturday. The Health Ministry spokesperson, Anees Alasbahi, informed Yemen's Saba news agency that the number of casualties has climbed as rescuers continue to search for potential survivors in the debris of the destroyed homes. The total toll reached 80, including 40 fatalities and 40 wounded, as of Sunday night.

The Interior Ministry in Sana'a has labeled the attack as a war crime, asserting that Saudi Arabia holds responsibility for the assault and emphasizing that it will not go unpunished. The ministry highlighted that targeting homes is a clear violation of civilian protection principles, and it also condemned attacks on rescue teams while they were on duty.

Hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Yemen have intensified since early September, following a ceasefire in 2022 that had largely remained in effect. Yemen has accused Saudi Arabia of targeting civilian areas and has retaliated with missile attacks on several Saudi airports and oil facilities. Yemen states that these operations are intended to compel the kingdom to lift its air and sea blockade, which was imposed in 2015 at the onset of the war between the two nations.