A rights report documents 109 Houthi crimes and violations in Taiz within 48 hours.

Houthi Militias Commit 109 Crimes Against Civilians in Taiz

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms has documented 109 crimes and violations committed by Houthi militias, supported by the Iranian regime, against civilians in Taiz Governorate over the past 48 hours. The report highlights the random firing of approximately 147 projectiles, most of which targeted residential neighborhoods, along with the launch of two ballistic missiles at the Sinaa neighborhood in central Taiz.

Types of Violations Reported

The network’s report details various violations, including killings and injuries from shelling and sniper fire, abductions and enforced disappearances, home raids, and attacks on residential areas with ballistic missiles. Additionally, the report notes assaults on ambulances and medical teams, incursions into Quran memorization centers and places of worship, road blockades, and the ongoing siege imposed on the governorate.

Casualties and Damage

According to the report, these assaults resulted in the deaths of eight civilians, including three women and three children. Furthermore, 26 others sustained injuries, comprising seven women and four children. The militias abducted 24 citizens, transporting them to unknown locations, and raided around 23 homes. The shelling also damaged 17 houses and 11 private vehicles.

Attack on Ambulance and Medical Personnel

The report mentions an attack on an ambulance in the Sabir area, which resulted in the death of its driver and injuries to the accompanying doctor, leading to the destruction of the vehicle. The network described this incident as a threat to the safety of medical teams and a hindrance to their ability to save the injured.

Religious and Community Centers Targeted

The network documented the Houthi militias’ incursion into the Umm al-Mu’minin Khadijah Quran memorization center at Al-Noor Mosque in the Mawza district, converting it into a rest area. Several mosques along the Taiz coast have also been repurposed into venues for qat consumption. Additionally, the report noted the explosion of a bridge on the Heijjat al-Abd road, severing the main route connecting Taiz to Lahij and ultimately to the temporary capital, Aden.

Types of Weaponry Used

The report confirmed that the shelling involved the use of mortars, Katyusha rockets, artillery shells, and drones, in addition to the two ballistic missiles targeting the Sinaa neighborhood. The assaults primarily concentrated in the regions of Al-Shuqab, Al-Masrak, and Al-Qaroud, as well as in the northwestern and eastern areas, including the Al-Masbah and Sinaa neighborhoods, and the Al-Dhaba and Al-Zahr areas, along with other residential neighborhoods in Taiz city and its countryside.

Call for International Action

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms urged the United Nations and the international community to condemn these violations and take urgent measures to halt the assaults and protect civilians. They called for lifting the siege, opening roads, and ensuring the unobstructed delivery of humanitarian aid and essential supplies. The network also advocated for declaring Taiz a disaster-stricken city and expanding the humanitarian response to meet the scale of needs.

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