Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Airstrike Reported at Houthi-Controlled Yemen Prison, Causing Casualties
An airstrike was reported at a prison in northern Yemen.
The prison is in Al-Hazm, an area controlled by the Houthi movement.
Houthi-run al-Masirah TV said the Saudi-led coalition carried out the strike.
Saudi Arabia had not immediately responded to that claim.
The report said women and children were among those hurt or killed.
It also said 35 prisoners and a woman visiting her husband were trapped under the rubble.
Rescuers were shown searching the damaged building.
The UN warned that more fighting could badly hurt civilians.
The UN envoy asked all sides to stop fighting and use talks to solve the dispute.
An airstrike reportedly hit a prison in Al-Hazm, the capital of Yemen’s Al-Jawf province, on Monday local time.
Houthi-run al-Masirah TV attributed the strike to the Saudi-led coalition, but Saudi Arabia had not immediately commented.
The report said women and children were among the casualties and that 35 inmates and a female visitor remained trapped.
Broadcast footage showed extensive damage and rescuers searching through the rubble, according to al-Masirah TV.
UN envoy Hans Grundberg called the wider escalation alarming and urged all parties to stop hostilities and pursue dialogue.
- Who
- The Houthi movement, the Saudi-led coalition, prison inmates and civilians were involved in the reported incident; UN envoy Hans Grundberg commented on the escalation.
- What
- An airstrike reportedly struck a prison, causing casualties and trapping people beneath the rubble.
- When
- Monday, local time; the reports did not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- A prison in Al-Hazm, the capital of Yemen’s Al-Jawf province, in northern Yemen.
- Why
- The reported strike occurred amid a wider escalation between the Houthi movement and forces aligned with the Saudi-led coalition; the specific reason for this strike was not independently established.
Houthi Account
Saudi-Led Coalition Position
Responsibility for the strike
Houthi Account
Houthi-run al-Masirah TV said the Saudi-led coalition carried out the airstrike and reported civilian casualties and people trapped in the prison.
Saudi-Led Coalition Position
Saudi Arabia had not immediately commented, so the report did not include a Saudi confirmation or denial of responsibility.
Response to the escalation
Houthi Account
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said Saudi military operations, including airstrikes and support for Yemeni government forces, would not go unanswered.
Saudi-Led Coalition Position
The Saudi-led coalition’s position was not provided in the report; the UN instead called on all parties to stop hostilities and prevent further escalation.
- Reported location
- A prison in Al-Hazm, Al-Jawf province, northern Yemen
- Attribution
- Houthi-run al-Masirah TV attributed the strike to the Saudi-led coalition
- People trapped
- The prison director was quoted as saying 35 inmates and a woman visitor remained trapped
- Reported casualties
- Women and children were reportedly among the casualties
- Saudi response
- There was no immediate comment from Saudi Arabia in the report
- UN assessment
- Hans Grundberg described reports of civilian casualties, displacement and infrastructure damage as deeply troubling
- UN appeal
- Grundberg urged all parties to cease hostilities, show restraint and use existing coordination channels