Four dead as Houthis shell market in southern Hodeidah

Twelve people injured as militia strikes Al Mutaiyna market at its busiest time

A policeman stands on a street in Hodeidah. Reuters

Four people died and 12 were injured when Houthi rebels shelled a public market in Al Mutaiyna in southern Hodeidah on Tuesday.

"The Houthis hit the market with three mortar shells that killed four civilians including two children," a medical source told The National.

"The injured were transferred to the public hospital in the district of Al Khokha to be treated but six were taken to Aden because their conditions were very serious."

The source said that three of the dead civilians had been identified but the blasts left the body of the fourth unrecognisable.

Witnesses said the market was shelled at noon when it was busy with villagers from across Al Jabaliya.

It is the only public market to which many have access because the roads to the main public market in Al Tuhayta are unsafe.

This latest incident follows the daily shelling by rebels of civilians across Al Tuhayta.

“The situation in our areas in eastern and northern Al Tuhayta is very catastrophic," a resident said.

"Our homes are subject to daily Houthi shelling. They killed my son near my house in Al Jabaliya and three of my relatives were killed by a sea mine explosion while they were fishing.

“They commit such horrible crimes against us on a daily basis, while the UN is too busy with the ports.”