Yemen Conflict: Houthi Attacks Kill Children, Injure Civilians in Marib and Taiz

Yemen's Houthi rebels intensified their shelling on civilian areas and gatherings on Monday evening, resulting in casualties including children, amidst reported advances by Yemeni armed forces on various fronts. The attacks, described as "hysterical," targeted residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure in multiple governorates.

A human rights source reported that Houthi shelling, specifically a ballistic missile strike on a gathering and shelter for displaced persons in the Asdas camp in the Ragwan district, north of Marib Governorate, claimed the lives of two children and injured 15 others, including eight children. The deceased were identified as a 7-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. Efforts to provide medical assistance to the injured are ongoing.

In the Western Coast region, the Houthi group reportedly targeted the city of Mokha with a ballistic missile, narrowly missing an OCHA office. This incident is seen as a further escalation that endangers civilian lives and risks the safety of populated areas and civilian facilities.

Local sources in the Al-Wazi'iyah district of Taiz Governorate indicated that a Houthi drone targeted two civilian vehicles carrying passengers in the Al-Suwayda roundabout, leading to initial reports of casualties. Additionally, a woman and her daughter were injured when Houthi shelling struck the Al-Rawda neighborhood in Taiz city, continuing a pattern of targeting civilian areas.

These Houthi escalations coincide with rapid developments on the battlefield, where Yemeni armed forces have reportedly made gains. Accusations have been leveled against the Houthi militia of resorting to targeting civilians and residential areas as retaliation for their battlefield losses, constituting a persistent violation of international humanitarian law.