Two civilians killed in Houthi strike on Marib, says Yemen’s government

Health Minister Qassem Bahaibah says 14 injured, accuses group of targeting residential areas and displacement camps.At least two civilians have been killed and 14 injured in the latest Houthi attack on the Yemeni government-held city of Marib, according to the internationally recognised government.Qassem Bahaibah, Yemen’s health minister, denounced the Iran-aligned Houthis as a “terrorist militia” in a post on X on Friday, adding that the toll of casualties was preliminary.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Houthi strikes in Yemen as Saudi Arabia braces for attacks: What we knowlist 2 of 3Saudi ⁠Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye sign defence deal amid regional turmoillist 3 of 3Houthi attacks on gov’t forces hint that a major battle in Yemen is brewingend of listBahaibah said authorities had instructed all health facilities to raise their levels of alert and preparedness.Friday’s attacks came the day after the Houthis killed at least 30 government soldiers in Hadramout and Marib provinces.The government condemned Friday’s attack “in the strongest terms”, in a media statement issued by the Ministry of Public Health and Population.“The deliberate targeting of safe residential neighbourhoods and camps of displaced people, and the resulting casualties among unarmed civilians, constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and of all humanitarian values and covenants,” it said.“It places the international community and humanitarian and human-rights organisations before their responsibilities, and calls for a serious and urgent stance that protects civilians and puts an end to their continued targeting.”Marib hosts the largest number of displaced families in Yemen, according to the United Nations refugee agency.Earlier on Friday, the Yemeni Defence Ministry said its forces had shot down several Houthi drones over Marib.The Houthis did not immediately comment on the government’s statements.