Yemen's government forces and the Houthi rebel group are trading blame over a deadly strike on the al-Hadara market in the al-Waziiya district of Taiz governorate.
The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia, which backs Yemen's internationally recognised government, of launching three air strikes on the market. They said at least 30 civilians were killed and eight others injured.
The Houthi Ministry of Health and Environment in Sanaa said Riyadh had committed a "horrific crime" and called for an independent international investigation into what it described as Saudi Arabia's "systematic targeting" of civilians.
The spokesperson for Yemen's government forces, Colonel Majed al-Naziri, rejected the accusation. He said the Houthis struck the market with ballistic missiles, causing dozens of civilian casualties, and accused the group of committing a "war crime." He called for accountability.
There has been no response from the Saudi-led coalition.
Reports from Sanaa noted that fighting has been ongoing in the al-Waziiya district, where the market is located. The area is currently under Houthi control, also known as Ansar Allah. The Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out daily attacks in an effort to gain control of the district and its surrounding strategic mountain range.
The district holds significant military value. "Whoever controls the al-Waziiya district controls the majority of the western Red Sea coastal line," according to a report from Sanaa.
On Friday, Yemen's army said it recaptured several areas in Taiz governorate, including al-Nidani village, Shaab al-Sarari, large parts of the Sanamat area, and the Ribat al-Qarn area in Dhi al-Barh. Government forces also imposed a siege on entrances to the al-Sarari area.
While the Houthis control much of Taiz governorate, the city of Taiz itself remains under government control. A Houthi siege on the city has lasted 30 days and has affected hundreds of thousands of residents. The United Nations has repeatedly warned of a catastrophe inside the city, where supplies of food and medicine are becoming increasingly scarce.
Yemen's internationally recognised government launched Operation Dawn of Yemen on October 5 to retake territories held by Houthi fighters.
Since the start of the operation, the Houthis have been firing missiles and drones daily into Saudi Arabia, striking oil facilities and disrupting air traffic over the kingdom.
