Houthi Attack in Taiz Kills Two Teenage Girls as Siege Tightens
A Houthi ballistic missile strike on the al-Alam military camp in Taiz, Yemen, killed two teenage girls and wounded six others, according to local reports. The attack occurred on Monday while recruits were lining up in formation for a training session. The missile hit near residential areas, underscoring the grave risks civilians face when explosive weapons are used in populated zones. Homes and civilian infrastructure remain vulnerable, and for families already displaced by conflict, the loss of a home can mean losing shelter and essential possessions at a time when leaving the city is itself dangerous.
The strike comes amid a tightening Houthi siege of Taiz, a strategically important city in southwestern Yemen. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Tuesday that Houthi forces had largely surrounded Taiz, closing the main supply route linking the city with Aden and placing civilians at “grave risk.” The United Nations has warned that the encirclement is cutting off vital supply routes, leaving residents struggling to obtain food and other essential goods as prices soar. The siege has left many without necessities, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
Taiz has been a focal point of fighting since Yemen’s civil war began more than a decade ago. As a strategic gateway to southern Yemen and one of the country’s most important historic and cultural centers, control of the city is highly contested. The Houthi missile attack on the al-Alam camp is part of ongoing violence that continues to claim civilian lives. Civilian deaths, damage to homes, and restrictions on humanitarian access remain central concerns regardless of the claims made by either side. The international community has repeatedly called for the protection of civilians and unimpeded humanitarian access.
In a related development, former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened “major military punishment” for Iran and the Houthis, signaling rising tensions. However, the immediate focus remains on the suffering of Taiz residents. The two teenage girls killed in the missile strike are among the latest victims of a conflict that has devastated Yemen. As the siege tightens, families face increasing hardship, with food shortages and soaring prices making daily life unbearable. The UN and human rights groups continue to urge all parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of civilians.
Shimanta Das 
