At least four civilians killed in Houthi missile strike near Yemen’s Taiz

At least four civilians have been killed and nine others injured in a Houthi missile strike on a crowded road in southwestern Yemen, according to Yemen’s state-run Saba news agency.

The attack by the Iran-backed group on Saturday targeted a gathering of civilians along the strategic Heijah al-Abd road, south of Taiz city, Saba said, quoting local and medical sources, and comes amid heavy fighting across key front lines in the Taiz and Hodeidah governorates.

The escalation follows reports from Yemeni government forces that they have retaken several key positions on the Haifan front, also south of Taiz.

A military source from the 4th Hazm Brigade told Saba that government troops captured several strategic heights, including al-Wathra, Saeed Taha, Dhiban, al-Khadira, and al-Najdain.

Military officials said these positions overlook the al-Khazja market and cut off key Houthi supply lines running towards several fronts in the southern Taiz and northwestern Lahj governorates.

Reporting from the capital, Sanaa, Al Jazeera’s Yousef Mawry said intense battles are also unfolding in other parts of the country.

“The aim seems to be for the Houthis to push towards Bab al-Mandeb, and gain territory towards the city and Red Sea port city of al-Makha [Mocha],” Mawry said.

Military experts say control over the Red Sea coastline is a main goal for the Houthis, which requires securing ground across southern Hodeidah and western Taiz.