The authorities under the control of the Houthi rebels have assured this Monday that at least eight civilians have lost their lives and several dozen have been injured after an attack attributed to Saudi forces against a market in the province of Taiz, one of the main combat fronts between the insurgency and the Executive recognized by the international community.
The Ministry of Economy, Industry and Investment, under the Houthis, has pointed out that Saudi troops attacked "in a direct and deliberate manner" the popular market of Al Mayaf, located in the district of Al Aqrud, in said province. "The attack caused the death of eight citizens and left dozens injured, according to preliminary reports," the Saba agency has indicated when disseminating the official statement.
The Houthis have warned that "this horrible crime represents the maximum expression of the criminality of the Saudi regime and its mercenaries, and is an extension of the series of war crimes committed by the coalition led by Saudi Arabia and its allies against the Yemeni people".
In their assessment, the offensive "demonstrates the flagrant and systematic attack against markets, economic facilities and civil infrastructure to paralyze the economic resources and vital infrastructure of Yemen", while they emphasize that the attacked market "constitutes an attack against a site protected by International Law" and, therefore, can be considered a war crime in accordance with the international definition.
The rebel authorities underscore, however, that this type of bombings "will not prevent state institutions, the private sector or traders from continuing their efforts to guarantee the needs of the citizenry, maintain market stability and ensure the continuity of economic activity".