Yemeni Minister Accuses Houthis of Targeting Civilians to Blame U.S. Airstrikes

Yemen’s Minister of Information, Muammar al-Eryani, stated on Monday that the Iran-backed Houthi militia has recently resorted to targeting densely populated civilian areas in the capital Sana’a and other regions under their control. He accused the group of attempting to provoke public anger against the ongoing military campaign by falsely attributing these attacks to American airstrikes.

In remarks reported by "Al-Mashhad Al-Yemeni," al-Eryani said that citizens documented—both in audio and video—the moment a missile was launched from within the capital before landing in one of its neighborhoods. Other footage from al-Mahwit Mountain revealed primitive Arabic inscriptions on the remains of another projectile. According to the minister, the resulting damage and the size of the crater at the Majel al-Damma cemetery did not align with the specifications of advanced U.S. munitions, suggesting that the Houthis used rudimentary explosive devices

Al-Eryani described these acts as part of the Houthis’ long-standing pattern of violations, accusing the group of blatant disregard for civilian lives. He stressed that the militia was using civilians in misleading propaganda campaigns to distract from their worsening internal crisis, increasing military pressure, and political isolation.

The minister held the Houthis fully responsible for these crimes, calling them a "dangerous escalation" that reflects the group’s growing disarray. He vowed that those responsible—leaders and operatives alike—would face justice.

He also urged local and international media outlets to verify facts carefully and avoid falling for the Houthis’ misleading narrative aimed at creating confusion and distorting the truth.

Meanwhile, the Houthi-run Ministry of Health reported that the death toll from a strike on the popular Farwah market in the Shu'ub district of Sana’a rose to 12 civilians killed and 30 injured. However, the Yemeni government has denied claims that the U.S. was behind the attack.