Dozens killed in strike on Yemeni market as rival forces trade blame

A devastating strike on al-Hadara market in the al-Waziiya district of Taiz governorate left at least 30 people dead, according to claims by Houthi rebels who dismissed responsibility for the attack. The incident marks the latest in a series of civilian casualties in Yemen's protracted conflict between government-aligned forces and the Iran-backed Houthi movement.

The Houthis attributed the deadly strike to government forces or their allies, while officials aligned with Yemen's internationally recognized government have yet to formally respond to the allegations. Marketplace attacks have repeatedly drawn accusations between the warring parties, with each side denying culpability for strikes resulting in civilian deaths.

Yemen's ongoing conflict has created a humanitarian crisis affecting millions of civilians. Markets and other civilian areas have been frequent targets throughout the conflict, with strikes often resulting in mass casualties. International humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for an end to attacks on civilian infrastructure and for all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law.

The toll of violence in Yemen remains among the world's worst humanitarian emergencies, with previous attacks on markets, hospitals, and residential areas claiming hundreds of lives. The competing claims over responsibility for attacks underscore the difficulty in establishing accountability for alleged violations during the conflict.