Yemeni Minister: Houthi militia escalation in Taiz reflects Iranian directives

A Yemeni minister accused the Iranian regime of being behind the escalation of the terrorist Houthi militia in Taiz Governorate (southwest of Yemen).

The Houthi militia had intensified its military escalation on the fronts of Taiz Governorate on Friday night/Saturday morning and Saturday morning, and had also intensified its hostile attacks on residential neighborhoods.

“The dangerous escalation witnessed on the fronts of Taiz Governorate by the terrorist Houthi militia affiliated with Iran, during the past 24 hours, and the ongoing attacks on villages and residential neighborhoods, in addition to the continuous mobilization of fighters, weapons and ammunition, reflects Iran’s directives to continue challenging the calming efforts, and threatens to undermine the chances of a peaceful solution to the crisis and undermine efforts to alleviate the humanitarian situation, in light of unjustified international silence,” Information Minister Muammar Al-Eryani said in a statement on the X platform.

He added, "The Houthi militia targeted residential neighborhoods in the Al-Kamb area, the vicinity of Al-Khair Mosque, Shaab Al-Daba, and Aqabat Maneef in the eastern side, as well as areas on the western front of Taiz city, using artillery and heavy ammunition. The attacks also extended to the eastern outlet linking Taiz city and Al-Hawban, from its positions in the Central Security and Ceremonies. In addition, the militia launched an attack with drones on villages and citizens' homes in Wadi Al-Dhabab, west of the city."

He continued, "The terrorist Houthi militia also carried out a failed infiltration attempt towards the National Army positions around the Al-Tashrifat camp, which was confronted by the heroes of the army stationed at the site, and forced the militia elements to flee, dragging behind them the tails of defeat and the bodies of their dead and wounded."

He pointed out that "the Houthi militia's attacks last month on residential neighborhoods and markets in Taiz Governorate resulted in the deaths and injuries of 24 civilians... amid shameful international silence that does not reflect the seriousness of the international community in confronting these violations."

He pointed out that the continued international silence encourages the Houthi militia to further persist in its terrorist activities, escalate its field operations, and commit crimes and violations against civilians, which makes urgent and decisive action a legal, moral and humanitarian duty to protect civilians and support opportunities for achieving comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Yemen.

Al-Eryani called on the international community, the United Nations and its special envoy to take practical steps by issuing a clear and direct condemnation of this dangerous escalation and targeting of civilians, classifying the militia as a "global terrorist organization", imposing severe sanctions and freezing its financial assets, prosecuting its leaders involved in the violations, and enhancing support for the legitimate government to enable it to protect civilians and restore stability in the affected areas.