Yemen: Houthi missile kills at least five in Ma’rib May 22

Event

A Houthi missile attack killed at least five people and wounded at least 22 others in the Hadi-government-controlled city of Ma'rib (Ma'rib province) on Tuesday, May 22, when a missile targeted and hit a market in Al-Mujama neighborhood in the center of the city. Additional Houthi missile and shelling attacks are possible in central Yemen, including in Ma'rib province, in the coming weeks.

Context

Houthi militants frequently target the government-controlled city of Ma'rib with missiles and shells launched from mountainous areas in nearby Sirwah district as part of the ongoing civil war.

Yemen is engaged in a complex and deadly conflict, ongoing since Houthi rebels entered into a civil war with the Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, in 2015. The Saudi-led coalition has carried out thousands of airstrikes in Yemen since its intervention began. Hundreds of Yemeni civilians have been killed in the strikes, which have hit schools, hospitals, and markets, in addition to Houthi militant positions and personnel. In total, more than 10,000 Yemenis have died in the fighting and over 3 million have been displaced.

Advice

Due to poor security conditions, many Western governments strongly advise their citizens against all travel to Yemen. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.