4 civilians killed in Houthi attack in eastern Yemen

SHABWA, Yemen

At least four people died and six were injured on Sunday in a rocket attack by Iranian-backed Houthi militias in eastern Yemen.

Houthis targeted a public market in the Usaylan district of the Shabwa province, the country's official SABA news agency cited local sources as saying.

A fire broke out in a gas station near the market following the attack, causing severe damage to the surrounding area.

The Houthis have yet to issue a statement.

Yemen has been engulfed by violence and instability since 2014, when Houthi rebels captured much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.

A Saudi-led coalition aimed at reinstating the Yemeni government has worsened the situation, causing one of the world’s worst man-made humanitarian crises, with nearly 80% or about 30 million people needing humanitarian assistance and protection, and more than 13 million in danger of starvation, according to UN estimates.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz