Houthi Missile Strike Hits Yemen Health Centre: PM Slams 'Terrorist Crime'
Yemen PM Shaya al-Zindani slams Houthi militia for a ballistic missile strike on a Lahij health centre, killing medical staff.
Yemen's Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani has issued a scathing condemnation of the Houthi militia following a deadly ballistic missile attack on the Al-Saqqiya Health Centre in Lahij Governorate. The strike, which targeted a critical medical facility, resulted in the death and injury of several members of the medical team, sparking outrage over the targeting of healthcare workers.
'A Flagrant Violation of International Law'
Taking to X, Prime Minister Al-Zindani described the assault on the health centre, located in the Al-Mudhaffar Directorate, as a "fully-fledged terrorist crime." He emphasized that the attack is not only a tragedy for the victims but a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, which protects medical facilities and personnel during conflicts.
The Prime Minister further accused the Houthi militia of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and medical institutions. According to Al-Zindani, such actions represent a direct assault on the fundamental right of citizens to access life-saving healthcare and their basic right to life.
Escalation in Taiz Governorate
This missile strike comes amidst a surge in hostilities between the Houthi movement and the internationally recognised government of Yemen. While the health centre was being hit in Lahij, fierce clashes were reported in the Taiz Governorate.
Government forces, supported by Popular Resistance militias, claimed significant tactical gains. The Yemeni armed forces reported the seizure of several Houthi positions, including:
- Nuba
- Watheeb
- Tabbat Mubarak along the al-Aqroud front
Military reports indicate that dozens of Houthi fighters were either killed or wounded during these intense confrontations.
Tensions with Saudi Arabia
The conflict continues to spill over borders, with Saudi Arabia remaining a key player in the regional instability. Turki al-Maliki, the spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen, recently confirmed that two drones were intercepted and destroyed in the Riyadh area, although specific details regarding the drones were not disclosed.
These incidents follow a pattern of denial and accusation between the Houthi group and Riyadh. On October 31, the Saudi-led coalition announced the destruction of an unmanned aircraft headed toward the Medina region. However, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree rejected these claims, denying any operations targeting Saudi territory and accusing Riyadh of fabricating the reports.