Violent explosion occurs at public market

A violent explosion occurred at a crowded public market in the Taiz province of southwestern Yemen. According to local sources, the explosion took place at the marketplace located in the DhuBab district near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

While it is alleged that the market area was targeted by a ballistic missile, panic ensued in the region following the blast. No official statement has yet been made regarding whether there were any deaths or injuries in the incident.

Footage shared on social media showed that a large number of people were in and around the marketplace at the time of the explosion. The recordings captured the area being covered in a thick cloud of smoke and dust immediately after the blast.

Conflicting claims have emerged from the parties regarding responsibility for the attack. Media outlets close to the Yemeni government reported that the marketplace was targeted by the Houthis with a missile.

Social media accounts close to the Houthis, however, shared footage of the moment of the attack, claiming that the strike on the marketplace was an airstrike carried out by Saudi Arabia. There is currently no independent verification or official confirmation regarding these claims.