NEWS CENTER_Yemen faces a dangerous military escalation following the Houthis’ intensification of their middile and drone attacks on populated areas, resulting in civilian casualties and the exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis, amid widespread condemnations and fears of the collapse of de-escalation efforts.

The Siege Affairs Office in Taiz city announced the killing of 9 civilians and the injury of 42 others because of intensive shelling and sniping operations carried out by the Houthis on residential neighborhoods and villages in the city, during the period extending between 14 and 20 October.

The Office confirmed that these direct targetings of populated areas represent a “systematic” escalation and a live documentation of the continuous assaults against civilians in the city. It added that the majority of the victims lost their lives as a result of artillery and missile shelling that hit neighborhoods and homes, while other injuries were recorded as a result of snipping, drones, and mines.

It explained that this toll reflects the scale of suffering experienced by the residents of Taiz, considering the continuation of the escalation and its direct threat to the lives and security of civilians. It called on the authorities and humanitarian and human rights organizations to move urgently to protect civilians, and to stop what it described as the "Houthi death machine," before more victims fall.