Conflict between Shiite Huthi rebels and Hadi loyalist continues to ignite violence throughout Yemen. On November 5, the city of Taez suffered a rocket-fire attack that resulted in the death of 11 civilians and injured 21 others. Military officials claim the Huthi rebels’ attack targeted residential neighbourhoods in the central and eastern part of Taez in an attempt to regain control of the city.
The tension between the rebel group and the Hadi loyalists started when the Huthis seized Yemen’s capital Sanaa and exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi last year. With the aid of coalition airstrikes, the Hadi loyalists regained control of Sanaa and pushed the rebel group further outside in July 2015. The fighting between the two groups has only intensified since then. The United Nations (UN) estimates over 2,500 civilian deaths have resulted from this conflict this year alone.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) claims the indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas in Taez has blocked the transfer of medical supplies, destroyed crucial hospitals, and prevented the distribution of essential food and basic aid. Although the number of deaths and injuries continues to increase, the ICRC reports that nearly half of the hospitals in Taez are closed.Locations devastated by the attacks lack access to water, electricity, gas and fuel, forcing civilians to depend on aid from humanitarian agencies. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports over 250,000 people in Taez have lost access to aid: “humanitarian and health needs are increasing and the limited response we have been able to provide is not enough.”
To read more, visit:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/11-civilians-killed-in-rebel-bombing-of-Yemens-Taez/articleshow/49672826.cms
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/yemen/al-houthis-kill-civillians-in-yemen-s-taiz-1.1613938
http://yemenonline.info/special-reports/870
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/yemen-fightings-taiz-civilians
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52332#.VkH2c0YYGag
