Saudi airstrikes kill 30 in Yemen market, Houthis claim

Houthi authorities in Yemen said at least 30 people were killed in a series of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes targeting a market in Taiz province on Wednesday. The Iran-backed militant group stated that "several strikes" hit the commercial area, which lies under their control in a region experiencing intense combat operations.

Taiz province has been a flashpoint for sustained fighting since the Houthis launched a major offensive in September, transforming the already volatile region into one of Yemen's most contested battlegrounds. Civilian infrastructure, including marketplaces and residential areas, has repeatedly come under fire during the conflict.

The Saudi-led coalition has conducted extensive air operations against Houthi positions throughout the campaign. The group, formally known as Ansar Allah, has maintained significant territorial control in northwest Yemen despite years of military intervention.

Civil war in Yemen has created a humanitarian crisis affecting millions. The UN and international aid organizations have repeatedly documented civilian casualties from airstrikes and ground fighting, with markets and public spaces frequently becoming collision points in the conflict.

Independent verification of casualty figures from the region remains difficult due to restricted access and ongoing hostilities.