World · India Bureau
Airstrike on Yemen's Taiz market kills civilians, sparks fresh dispute
Houthi rebels have accused the Saudi-led coalition of striking a central market in Yemen's Taiz city, claiming at least seven deaths and dozens wounded. Government forces dispute the account, saying the operation targeted militant positions.
LSN India ·
A reported airstrike near a crowded marketplace in Taiz has reignited tensions between Yemen's warring parties over civilian casualties and military objectives. Houthi insurgents blamed Saudi-led coalition forces for the strike, which they say killed at least seven people and injured dozens more in the densely populated market area.
The government-aligned side contested this account, asserting that coalition aircraft targeted Houthi military positions, including weapon depots and vehicles in the vicinity. The competing claims underscore the persistent difficulty in verifying casualty figures and targeting precision during Yemen's protracted conflict.
Taiz, a major city in southwestern Yemen, has endured repeated bombardment since the Saudi-led military campaign intensified in 2015. Civilian infrastructure including markets, hospitals and residential areas have borne the brunt of airstrikes, drawing international concern over potential violations of laws governing armed conflict.
The latest incident adds to mounting pressure on coalition members to improve operational transparency and civilian protection measures. The United Nations and human rights groups have repeatedly called for independent investigation into alleged strikes affecting civilian populations across Yemen.