Houthis strike besieged city in Yemen that UN warns is at ‘grave risk’

Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck a residential area in Taiz, Yemen, killing two teenage girls. The UN warns the besieged city is at 'grave risk.' The attack followed a Houthi strike on a military camp that killed 73 recruits. Britain and Egypt are expanding military support to Saudi Arabia.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck a residential area in Yemen's third-largest city, Taiz, on Tuesday, killing two teenage girls and wounding six people. The attack renewed attention on the dangers faced by civilians in the city, which has been under siege by the Houthis. UN human rights chief Volker Türk said the siege has put civilians at 'grave risk,' cutting off supply routes and leaving many without food as prices soar. The attack came a day after a Houthi strike on a government military camp killed 73 recruits, the deadliest since the conflict's resurgence over the summer. The conflict has 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. Britain said it would expand military support to Saudi Arabia with defensive air patrols by Royal Air Force jets. Egypt will deploy air defense systems and aircraft to help repel missiles and drones fired toward Saudi Arabia but will not deploy ground troops to Yemen. The Houthis have besieged Taiz as part of their monthslong offensive, repeatedly targeting government forces. Türk urged both sides to avoid using explosive weapons in civilian areas. The article also includes a fundraising appeal from The Times of Israel.