Yemen: 30 dead in strikes on Taiz market

Airstrikes targeted a market in southwestern Yemen on Friday, resulting in at least 30 fatalities and eight injuries, according to a spokesperson for the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. This incident marks one of the deadliest attacks since the resumption of clashes between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed government troops. Both the Saudi-backed military and the Houthi rebels have disputed responsibility for the deadly strike on the market in al-Waziyah, Taiz province. The situation remains unclear as the Associated Press could not independently verify the claims.

Footage from Al Masirah showed smoke rising from the scene, with a damaged building, destroyed vehicles, scattered fruit boxes, and rubble. The Yemeni government-affiliated authorities in Taiz denied the attack, stating that no airstrikes had taken place in the area. The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, confirmed three airstrikes hit the Al Hadara market in al-Waziyah around 7 am. The Saudi Arabian information ministry did not provide a comment on the matter.

While the number of people present at the market early in the day remains uncertain, markets are typically busy on Fridays, a day of rest in many Arab countries. The provincial media office acknowledged the attack via a Facebook statement, mentioning casualties but not providing further details. They emphasized that Houthi missile attacks, including the use of ballistic missiles, endanger civilian lives, and called for protection of markets and populated areas.