Houthi sources say an airstrike near Taiz's central market killed at least seven people and injured 40, showing footage of smoke and a destroyed food warehouse; these claims could not be independently verified. Government-aligned forces say they targeted a Houthi depot and vehicles in the same area. Renewed fighting has displaced at least 125,000 people and reached areas near the Bab al-Mandab strait, while Saudi Arabia has discussed security cooperation with Pakistan and Turkey under a Mecca defence pact.
At Least Seven Killed in Airstrike Near Taiz Central Market, Houthis Say
FILE PHOTO - An Armed Houthi carries a gun during a pro-Palestinian protest in Sana'a. (is associated with: «At least seven killed in airstrike on market in Yemen, Houthis say») Osamah Yahya/dpa
At least seven people were killed and 40 wounded after an airstrike hit a shopping area around Taiz's central market, Houthi rebels said on Sunday. Houthi broadcaster Al-Masirah aired footage showing large plumes of smoke and a warehouse stacked with boxed food that appeared to have been destroyed.
Those claims could not be independently verified. Both sides have blamed each other for the strikes: the Houthi-run health ministry accused the Saudi Air Force of deliberately targeting civilian sites in Taiz, while troops loyal to Yemen's internationally recognized government said their air arm struck a Houthi depot and vehicles in the area. Government forces are backed by Saudi Arabia.
Houthi Health Ministry: An "abominable crime," deliberately targeting civilians, the ministry said.
Fighting and Displacement
Fierce fighting continues across several parts of Yemen. Aid and local officials say renewed clashes have displaced at least 125,000 people and extended into highland areas near the strategically important Bab al-Mandab strait, a key shipping lane.
Wider Escalation and Regional Responses
The Houthis said Saudi forces carried out roughly two dozen strikes across Yemen in 24 hours and claimed more than 1,000 strikes since the latest escalation began. Saudi Arabia has also faced retaliatory attacks on its territory, with its civil defence authority issuing recent warnings for southern cities including Khamis Mushait and Abha.
Riyadh has sought to highlight closer security cooperation with Pakistan and Turkey. Military chiefs from the three countries met in Riyadh to discuss the perceived threat to the kingdom under a Mecca defence pact that includes a mutual-defence clause; however, neither Pakistan nor Turkey has directly entered the fighting in Yemen.
Humanitarian Note
Independent verification of the strike and casualty figures remains limited. The situation on the ground is fluid, and access constraints make rapid confirmation difficult. Humanitarian agencies warn that continued escalation could further worsen civilian suffering across Yemen.
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