Yemen: Civilian casualties in Houthi missile attack in Taiz governorate November 30

Event

At least two children were killed and 12 people injured in an alleged Houthi missile attack in the north of Taiz governorate on Monday, November 30. Local sources report that a residential area of Al Mofatish north of Taiz city came under attack with heavy weaponry, causing the casualties.

The news comes following a statement from the Saudi-led coalition alleging that Houthi militants had launched a ballistic missile on Sana'a on Monday. There were no reports of casualties from the ballistic missile attack.

Further similar attacks are likely in Taiz, Hudaydah, Marib, al-Bayda, and al-Jawf governorates over the near term.

Context

Yemen is engaged in a complex and deadly conflict, ongoing since Houthi rebels entered 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. Houthi rebels have also launched hundreds of missile, rocket, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks targeting coalition forces and civilian population centers in the west and center of the country throughout the conflict. Although many of these have been intercepted by coalition air defenses, hundreds of civilians have been killed in Houthi missile strikes. In total, more than 10,000 Yemenis have died in the fighting and some 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.