Yemen government and Houthis trade accusations over fatal Taiz market blast

Yemen's internationally recognized government and the Houthi movement have traded accusations over a lethal assault on a civilian market in Taiz province that reportedly left dozens of people dead and injured.

The strike took place at the al-Hadara market situated in the al-Waziiya district of southwestern Yemen. According to military spokesperson Colonel Majed al-Nazili, Houthi forces launched ballistic missiles into the bustling area, inflicting numerous civilian casualties in what he termed a war crime.

In contrast, Houthi authorities claimed that aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition backing the Yemeni government carried out three aerial bombardments on the location. Officials from the Houthi-run health ministry in Sanaa stated that at least 30 civilians were killed and eight others wounded in the incident, urging the international community to open an independent inquiry into the strike. The Saudi-led military alliance did not immediately comment on the accusations, and the conflicting accounts could not be independently confirmed.

The targeted market is situated in a district held by the Houthis that has become the focus of fierce clashes. The area features a significant mountain range that commands views over key sections of the western Red Sea coastline, prompting continuous attacks by pro-government and coalition elements seeking to secure the high ground.

Alongside the market blast, the Yemeni military announced territorial gains across Taiz on Friday. Armed forces claimed to have seized several locations, including the village of al-Nidani, Shaab al-Sarari, sections of Sanamat, and the Ribat al-Qarn area within Dhi al-Barh, while surrounding access routes into al-Sarari.

The broader province remains heavily contested. Although the government controls the urban center of Taiz, Houthi forces dominate surrounding rural regions and have maintained an encirclement of the city for a month. United Nations officials have sounded alarms regarding deteriorating conditions for hundreds of thousands of residents trapped in the city, where essentials such as food and medical supplies have grown critically scarce.

The escalation follows a wide-ranging campaign, dubbed Operation Dawn of Yemen, begun by the government on October 5 to reclaim territory from the rebels. In response to the offensive, Houthi forces have maintained a persistent barrage of drone and ballistic missile strikes directed at both government-held zones and targets inside Saudi Arabia, hitting petroleum infrastructure and interrupting commercial flights.