Yemen: 20 killed in Taiz market attack; travellers should avoid al-Waziyah area

At least 20 people were killed and 15 injured in an attack on a busy market in southwestern Yemen on Friday, according to a spokesperson for the health ministry of the Iran-backed Houthi rebel administration. The casualties were reported from al-Waziyah, in Taiz province.

Key facts

• Date: Friday 6 November 2026
• Location: al-Waziyah, Taiz province, southwestern Yemen
• Casualties: at least 20 killed and 15 injured, with the death toll expected to rise
• Accounts conflict: the Houthis blame the Saudi-led coalition; Taiz local authorities blame the rebels
• Verification: the competing accounts could not be independently verified

What happened and where?

The attack struck a market in al-Waziyah, in Yemen's Taiz province, on Friday. Houthi health ministry spokesperson Anees Alsabahi told Houthi-run television channel Al Masirah that the death toll could rise.

Local authorities in Taiz confirmed that an attack on a busy market had killed and injured people.

Who is blaming whom?

Alsabahi blamed the Saudi-led coalition for the attack. Local authorities in Taiz disputed the Houthis' account, blamed the rebels for the incident and said no airstrikes had been carried out in the area.

The conflicting accounts could not be independently verified.

How serious is the incident?

If confirmed as an airstrike, the incident would rank among the deadliest attacks since fighting resumed between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces, the report noted.

No further details on the attack, its casualties or any investigation have been announced.