A rights center documents the killing and injury of 136 civilians, including children and women, due to Houthi attacks in Taiz over 12 days.

Human Rights Center Reports Civilian Casualties in Taiz

A report from the Taiz Human Rights Center documented the deaths and injuries of 136 civilians, including 43 children and 19 women, due to violations and assaults committed by Houthi militias supported by the Iranian regime in Taiz Governorate. This data covers the period from November 1 to November 12.

Casualties from Attacks

The center’s report indicated that the number of fatalities reached 51 civilians, which included 13 children and 3 women. Additionally, 85 others sustained injuries, comprising 30 children and 16 women. These casualties resulted from rocket and artillery shelling, sniper fire, and landmine planting, along with other incidents linked to Houthi assaults in various districts of the governorate.

Massacres in Taiz

During the same period, the governorate experienced three massacres in the Najd market in the Al-Masrak district, in the Al-Athawir village in the Haifan district, and in the Al-Hudayda popular market in the Al-Waziyah district. These attacks led to the deaths of 43 civilians and injured 30 others, targeting densely populated civilian areas and shoppers.

Districts with Highest Casualties

The report highlighted that the Al-Masrak district recorded the highest number of casualties, with 12 dead and 34 injured. The Al-Waziyah district followed with 30 fatalities and 8 injuries. Other districts, including Sabir Al-Mawadim, reported 3 deaths and 19 injuries, while Al-Mu’afir had 2 dead and 7 injured, and Haifan recorded 4 dead and 4 injured. The remaining injuries occurred across the districts of Mashra’a, Hadnan, Al-Qahira, Al-Mawaset, and Jabal Habashi.

Additional Violations Documented

The report noted that violations extended beyond targeting civilians with shelling and sniper fire. It included the abduction of workers in the health and education sectors, as well as civilians. The report also detailed the storming of homes, the destruction of some, and damage to others. Furthermore, it documented the seizure of properties and health, educational, religious, social, and commercial facilities. An ambulance was also targeted while transporting an injured person in the Sabir Al-Mawadim district.

Abductions and Home Invasions

The center recorded the abduction of several civilians during the same period, including a health worker, teachers, and shop owners. It reported the invasion of 40 homes in the Kuwait residential area of the Al-Masrak district, where properties and facilities were seized. Additionally, the Abdullah Al-Mubarak complex in the city of Taiz was stormed, with its buildings and contents, including health, educational, religious, and social facilities, taken over.

Call for Action

The documented incidents, particularly the targeting of markets and homes with rocket and artillery fire, direct sniper attacks on civilians, and assaults on ambulances, amount to war crimes. The report calls for an immediate halt to assaults on civilians and residential areas, the lifting of the blockade and restrictions imposed on the governorate, and the assurance of safe passage for patients, the injured, and ambulances. It also demands the release of abducted individuals and the return of seized homes, facilities, and properties. The center urges the United Nations, the international community, and human rights organizations to take urgent action to protect civilians and to conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the crimes and violations, holding those responsible accountable.

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