World

Airstrikes destroy part of Yemen capital's old city, a UNESCO world heritage site

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A man searches for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi airstrikes in the old city of Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (The Associated Press)

People search for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi airstrikes in the old city of Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (The Associated Press)

People search for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi airstrikes in the old city of Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (The Associated Press)

Saudi-led airstrikes targeting Shiite rebels and allied forces destroyed historic houses in the Old City of the capital, Sanaa, a UNESCO world heritage site, killing at least five civilians and burying others under the rubble.

Warplanes dropped missiles early Friday morning. While the missiles apparently didn't explode, their impact destroyed at least three houses and caused cracks in surrounding houses which are cemented to each other. The houses are one of the most popular and historic tourist attractions in the city.

Online activists posted pictures from the damaged portion of the city, next to men digging for survivors from under the debris.

The Saudi-led coalition began conducting airstrikes on March 26 against Shiite rebels and their allies in the Yemeni security forces who had overrun the capital.