Yemen’s deputy interior minister escapes Houthi attack

11 people were killed in the attack
Yemen’s deputy interior minister escapes Houthi attack

Yemen’s deputy interior minister has escaped a missile attack by Houthi rebels in the south-western Taiz province on Monday, which left 11 people dead, according to military and medical sources.

Houthi rebels shelled a military parade attended by Naser Lakhshaa and senior military officials in al-Khayyami barracks in southern Taiz, a military source said on condition of anonymity because he was not unauthorized to speak to media.

“Eleven people were killed and dozens injured in the attack,” medic Moaz Mahyub told Anadolu Agency.

The pro-Houthi Al-Masira television, citing a military source, confirmed the attack, saying the barracks were hit by a ballistic missile.

Yemen has been dogged by chaos since 2014, when Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including capital Sanaa, forcing the Saudi-backed government to set up an interim capital in the city of Aden.

One year later, Saudi Arabia and its Sunni-Arab allies -- who accuse the Houthis of serving as an Iranian proxy -- launched a massive military campaign in Yemen aimed at rolling back the Houthis’ territorial gains.