In a recent incident, the Houthi militia has been reported to have carried out a disturbing act of violence in the Al-Maqbana district of western Taiz province.

On Monday, December 23, 2024, a mortar shell launched by the Houthi forces struck a civilian residence in the Al-Boumiya area, resulting in the tragic deaths of two children and leaving two others seriously injured.

According to information sourced from ًWomen Journalists Without Chains (WJWC), the mortar shell hit the home of Bakr Qaid Mahyoub in the Al-Boumiya village, specifically in the Al-Barasha area.

Among the casualties were four-year-old Deyb Bakr Qaid Mahyoub and six-year-old Shaimaa Bakr Qaid Mahyoub, with two more children from the same family, eight-year-old Meryal Bakr Qaid Mahyoub and three-year-old Abdulhaq Ali Qaid Mahyoub, sustaining severe injuries.

This incident follows a previous event earlier in the month where the Houthi militia reportedly targeted a market in the same region using a drone, resulting in the deaths of six civilians and injuries to eight others. Such actions have been critiqued as violations of international humanitarian law, specifically prohibitions against targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

In response to these events, Women Journalists Without Chains has strongly condemned the attacks, labeling them as serious violations of international humanitarian law and the rules protecting civilians during armed conflicts.

The organization has urged the international community and human rights organizations to take immediate action to prevent further civilian targeting, hold the responsible parties accountable, and enhance efforts to protect affected populations, particularly in Taiz Governorate.

It has highlighted concerns over the escalating violence and systematic violations by the Houthi militia, emphasizing the detrimental impact on civilians in the absence of accountability.