The death toll from the Houthi group’s bombing of a house in Radaa city, Al Bayda province, central Yemen, has risen to 18.
The Yemeni news agency “Saba” reported that at least 18 people were killed following the Houthi group’s bombing of a house in Al Bayda province in central Yemen on Tuesday.
Witnesses told Reuters that forces affiliated with the Houthi group detonated a house on Tuesday morning in Al-Hafra neighborhood of Radaa city, Al Bayda province, with more than 20 people inside.
Previous reports had indicated that the explosion killed 12 people.
The bombing occurred after the death of a relative of one of the notables close to the Houthis, who control Al Bayda.
The Minister of Information of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, Muammar Al-Eryani, said the dead included women and children, noting that several neighboring houses collapsed.
The Houthi group, allied with Iran, admitted responsibility.
A spokesman for the Interior Ministry affiliated with the Houthis, Brigadier Abdul Khaleq Al-Ajri, said, “A mistake occurred by some security men during the execution of a security campaign to pursue some saboteurs, an irresponsible reaction using excessive and illegal force without returning and taking directives from the security leadership or the knowledge of the Ministry of Interior.”
The statement mentioned that the explosion resulted in the death of two security men and injured others, in addition to wounding several residents.
The Houthis, an Iran-aligned group based in Yemen, have been significantly active in recent years. They have been engaged in a decade-long civil war in Yemen, asserting their attacks as a response to external aggressions, notably Israel’s actions in Gaza. The Houthis control large parts of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, and have been involved in cease-fire talks, particularly with Saudi Arabia, aiming to end the ongoing conflict. These talks have included discussions on lifting blockades on Houthi-held ports and Sanaa airport, with international efforts to mediate a peace deal.
In response to recent escalations, including Houthi-led attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, the United States and the United Kingdom have conducted military strikes against Houthi targets. The Houthis have stated that their maritime attacks, especially on Israel-linked shipping, aim to support Hamas and pressure Israel to cease its military actions in Gaza. These activities have led to international concerns, prompting the formation of coalitions to safeguard maritime traffic in the Red Sea. The US has also announced intentions to designate the Houthis as a global terrorist group, with ongoing sanctions and arms embargoes against them.
