Houthis attack city in Yemen that UN says is at 'grave risk' by rebels' siege

TAIZ, Yemen (AP) — Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck a residential area in Yemen's third-largest city on Tuesday, killing two teenage girls and renewing attention on the dangers faced by civilians in Taiz, which has been under attack and siege during the country's escalating conflict.The Houthis have largely encircled Taiz, cutting it off from most supply routes and putting civilians at “grave risk,” U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said Tuesday. says the siege has left many residents without food and other necessities as prices soar.The attack on Taiz came a day after a Houthi strike on a government military camp killed 73 recruits, the deadliest strike since the resurgence of the conflict over the summer, according to a senior Yemeni government official.The conflict has only intensified since forces from the internationally recognized government and Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on Houthi-held Sanaa International Airport in July, shattering a 2022 ceasefire deal that largely stopped fighting in the country's civil war.Yemen has become a widening front in the Iran war that began in February — and the Houthis have increasingly launched attacks on Saudi Arabia because it supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government.Britain said on Tuesday that it would expand its military support for Saudi Arabia to include “defensive” air patrols by Royal Air Force jets.UN says Houthi siege of Taiz risks humanitarian crisisHeavy fighting between the Houthis and Yemeni government forces caused extensive damage in a densely populated residential area of Taiz.

Six people were wounded in the Houthis' deadly attack there.Resident Zainab Ali said she was away when the strike occurred but returned to find her home had been destroyed.“We are a family of orphans, and we do not know what to do,” she said.In an update late Tuesday afternoon, Yemen’s government forces claimed they had thwarted Houthi attacks in several areas across Taiz, without providing evidence. The Associated Press could not independently verify the claim.The Houthis have besieged Taiz as part of their monthslong offensive against Yemeni government forces, repeatedly targeting it with missiles and artillery.“Humanitarian aid must be immediately allowed to enter the city and its passage must be facilitated. Civilians wishing to leave must be allowed to do so freely and safely,” Türk, t…

CAIRO (AP) — Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck a residential area in Yemen's third-largest city on Tuesday, killing two teenage girls and renewing attention on the dangers faced by civilians in Taiz, which has been under attack and siege during the country's escalating conflict.The Houthis have largely encircled Taiz and cut off most supply routes from government-held areas, putting civilians at “grave risk,” U.N. says the siege has sent prices soaring, leaving many residents without food and other necessities.Also on Tuesday, a senior Yemeni government official said the death toll from a Houthi missile strike a day earlier on a government military camp rose to 73 people, making it the deadliest strike since the resurgence of the conflict over the summer.The conflict has only intensified since forces from the internationally recognized government and Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on Houthi-held Sanaa International Airport in July, shattering a 2022 ceasefire deal that largely stopped fighting in the country's civil war.Yemen has become a widening front in the Iran war that began in February — and the Houthis have increasingly launched attacks on Saudi Arabia because it supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Britain said Tuesday it is expanding its military support for Saudi Arabia to include “defensive” air patrols by Royal Air Force jets.UN says Houthi siege of Taiz risks humanitarian crisisIn the deadly strike on Taiz, six other people were wounded and several buildings were damaged, local authorities said.The Houthis have besieged Taiz as part of their monthslong offensive against Yemeni government forces, repeatedly targeting it with missiles and artillery.“Humanitarian aid must be immediately allowed to enter the city and its passage must be facilitated.