Saudi-led airstrikes targeting Shia rebels and their allies destroyed historic houses in the Old City of the capital, Sanaa, a UNESCO world heritage site. At least five civilians were killed and others buried under the rubble, medical officials and witnesses said. However, Saudi Arabia denied the report.
Warplanes dropped missiles apparently targeting a house occupied by a senior rebel commander, witnesses said. The missiles did not explode but their impact flattened at least three houses and caused cracks in surrounding buildings which are cemented to each other, leaving large sections of the district at risk of collapse.
Online activists posted pictures from the damaged portion of the city, next to men digging for survivors from under the debris. Others circulated pictures from before the destruction to show the scale of damage to the complex of houses occupying a district in the Old City known as al-Qasimi — one of the most popular and historic tourist attractions in the city.
The Old City has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years. Decorated buildings are made of packed earth with burnt brick towers.