UNHR commissioner strongly condemns attacks on residential areas in Taiz

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani strongly condemned a series of rocket and mortar attacks against several residential areas and markets in Taizz between 3 and to 8 June 2016, which killed 18 civilians, including seven children, and injured 68 others. 

Several markets were hit while full of people who were shopping ahead of Ramadan.

According to several victims injured during an attack near the Delux Market on 3 June, the shelling originated from the Tabat Al-Sofitel hill, in the eastern part of the city of Taizz, which is currently under the control of the Popular Committees affiliated with the Houthis and forces loyal to former President Saleh, according to the UN official.

The shelling on civilian areas continued until the evening of 4 June and restarted on the 6th, when several houses in the Al Ta’iziyah and Al-Qahirah districts were hit, killing three civilians and injuring twelve others, including nine children, she added.

Another very serious incident took place in the early hours of 8 June when a school near the Al-Thawrah hospital was hit, killing five people, including three children, she explained.

All victims belonged to a marginalized community, the Al-Muhamasheen, and had taken refuge in the school after having been forced to flee their homes due the ongoing violence. According to eyewitnesses, the shelling also came from the Tabat Al-Sofitel Hill, she noted.

Since 26 March 2015 and up to 8 June 2016, we have documented a total of 3,539 civilians killed and 6,268 injured, she said.

Source ; MENA