Houthi Attacks in Taiz Undermine Yemen Truce

A displaced Yemeni passes makeshift shelters at a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, 29 April 2022. (EPA)
A displaced Yemeni passes makeshift shelters at a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, 29 April 2022. (EPA)
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Houthi Attacks in Taiz Undermine Yemen Truce

A displaced Yemeni passes makeshift shelters at a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, 29 April 2022. (EPA)
A displaced Yemeni passes makeshift shelters at a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, 29 April 2022. (EPA)

The Iran-backed Houthi militias carried out on Wednesday attacks in the Taiz province in a move that undermines the two-month nationwide truce.

The Houthis shelled Taiz neighborhoods and launched attacks using armed drones, drawing government condemnation and warnings that the UN-sponsored truce was at risk.

Witnesses said a drone attack in eastern Taiz city left at least 10 people wounded and caused panic among locals, who were celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

The shelling targeted a police building in the city.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak slammed the attacks as a "flagrant violation of international and humanitarian laws and the UN truce."

In a tweet, he warned the Houthis against squandering the opportunity for peace presented by the truce, saying they will be held accountable if it failed.

Wednesday's attack sparked outrage among the people because it targeted civilian locations. The attack struck areas that are located close to a local park, cancer patients hospital, sports club and university faculty.

The Mayyun rights organization condemned the deadly attack that it said was carried out by armed drones and targeted a busy street.

It warned that the truce was being threatened by the Houthis' "blatant violation".

It noted that this was not the first violation to take place in Taiz, saying the Houthis had carried out mortar attacks against neighborhoods, leaving civilian casualties.

The latest attack raised questions about the Houthis' commitment to the truce, added the organization.

It underlined the need for the UN to maintain its firm efforts with the Houthis, warning the militia leaders of the humanitarian consequences should they lead to the truce' failure.



US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
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US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that the United States was dedicated to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and urged Israel to improve "dire" conditions in Gaza, in a call Saturday with his Israeli counterpart.

Austin "reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border" in his call with Israel Katz, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Austin also "urged the Government of Israel to continue to take steps to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and emphasized the US commitment to securing the release of all hostages, including US citizens."

Lebanon said Saturday that an Israeli air strike in the heart of Beirut that brought down a residential building and jolted residents across the city killed at least 11 people.

Israel stepped up its campaign against the Hezbollah militant group in late September, targeting its strongholds in Lebanon.

Lebanon's health ministry says at least 3,645 people have been killed since October 2023, when Hezbollah began trading fire with Israel in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas.

The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israel said Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.

In the call with Katz, Austin also discussed ongoing Israeli operations and reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad commitment to Israel's security," the Pentagon said.