The recent shelling of residential neighborhoods in the southwestern city of Taiz has killed and wounded 73 civilians, including 14 children and nine women, Yemen’s national committee investigating claims of human rights violations reported on Sunday.The committee, which was formed by the internationally-recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi last year, described these figures as initial.
It also denounced shelling of residential areas in Taiz, urging for the immediate cessation of hostilities and to allow medical aid and support to those injured.
On Sunday, Al Arabiya News Channel said anti-government militias in Yemen have resumed their shelling of residential neighborhoods in Taiz, prompting people to protest against the attacks.
The protestors demanded the immediate cessation of violations by both the Iran-backed Houthi militia and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s loyalists. The Houthis and the loyalists are in an alliance against Hadi’s government.
The channel said the Houthis and Saleh’s loyalists have been shelling parts of the city for days but did not report any death toll.
The news comes after UN Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh spoke in late May of progress about the Yemeni peace talks currently taking place in Kuwait between Hadi’s government and the Houthi militias and their allies.
It has also been reported that the Yemeni government’s delegates have limited their discussions with Ould Cheikh after the attacks.
Intermittent clashes have also been reported on several fronts along the southern borders of Taiz province after the militia group continues to target eastern districts in the city including Kalaba and Thaabat neighborhoods with missile attacks.