Houthis report 20 killed in airstrike on Taiz market

At least 20 people died when airstrikes hit a busy market in southwestern Yemen on Friday, according to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that three strikes struck the al-Hadara market in al-Waziyah, Taiz province, at approximately 7 a.m. He attributed the attacks to Saudi Arabia, claiming warplanes departed from the Khamis Mushait air base and exited Taiz province by 8 a.m. Saree did not provide visual or audio evidence to support the timeline. Houthi health ministry spokesperson Anees Alsabahi confirmed the death toll of 20 and reported 15 additional injuries. He told Houthi-run Al Masirah television that the number of fatalities could increase as rescue efforts continue.

The provincial media office, which is aligned with the Saudi-backed government, disputed the Houthi account. In a Facebook statement, the office acknowledged an attack on the market and confirmed casualties but did not specify a number. The authorities blamed the Houthis, asserting that no airstrikes were carried out in the region. They described the incident as part of indiscriminate Houthi missile attacks, including ballistic missiles, that endanger civilians in populated areas. The Saudi information ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Footage broadcast by Al-Masirah showed smoke rising from the site. The video displayed a damaged building that stored canned food, destroyed vehicles, and scattered boxes of fruit amidst rubble. Markets in the region are typically crowded on Fridays, a standard day off in much of the Arab world. It was not immediately clear how many individuals were present during the reported strikes.

The incident marks one of the deadliest engagements since fighting resumed between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces. The Houthis currently control parts of Taiz, but the city itself remains under the authority of the internationally recognized government and is besieged by rebel forces. In October, Houthi ballistic missiles struck a military camp in the southern province of Shabwa, killing at least 75 soldiers and wounding approximately 200 recruits. In September, the rebels blamed Saudi coalition strikes for the collapse of a prison in Hazm, the capital of Jawf province, which killed at least 23 people.

The Houthis expanded their advance on Taiz in September following the rapid capture of the port city of Mokha. Mokha is located about 80 miles away and is vital for controlling shipping lanes through the Red Sea. The rebels have tightened their encirclement of Taiz, restricting the movement of drinking water and food supplies into the city. Government forces in the surrounding hills continue to repel Houthi advances, facing strong resistance particularly to the east of the city.