NEWS CENTER– Humanitarian suffering in Taiz is escalating as a result of the Houthis' intensification of their missile attacks and their stifling siege, amid the documentation of hundreds of grave violations against civilians, including shelling, kidnappings, and the destruction of homes, which threatens an imminent catastrophe.

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms documented in a new report 213 Houthi projectiles that targeted residential areas in Taiz city during the past 24 hours, alongside 21 crimes and violations against civilians, amid the continuation of the siege imposed on the city. It noted that the violations included killing and injury by shelling and sniping, kidnapping and detention in unknown places, raiding and looting homes, targeting residential neighborhoods and public roads, in addition to monitoring recruitment and enlistment operations of youth.

The report, issued today, Saturday, 24 October, indicated that the assaults resulted in the killing of two children, the injury of three civilians, including two women, with various wounds, and the kidnapping of four citizens. It added that the Houthis also carried out raids and looting operations and caused damage to civilians' homes, and the assaults affected villages and residential neighborhoods in various areas of the city, which raised fear and panic among the residents.

The Network noted in its report the targeting of homes with mortar shells in the villages of the Jabal Sabr districts, which caused material damage and the death of livestock. These villages are witnessing continuous shelling, sniping operations, and a siege that exacerbates the suffering of civilians and threatens their lives, amid increasing difficulties in the movement of residents and the rescue of the injured.

The Network also monitored the Houthis' recruitment of young people from the "marginalized" category in areas under their control, to enroll them in training courses in preparation for pushing them into combat fronts, warning of the continued exploitation of this category and the recruitment of children.

The Network considered that targeting civilians, kidnapping, and recruiting children may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. It demanded an end to the shelling, the protection of civilians, and the lifting of the siege, calling on the United Nations and influential international bodies to take concrete action to protect the residents of Taiz and hold those responsible for the violations accountable.