Man killed, others injured in Taiz armed clashes

TAIZ, April 02 (YPA) – Violent clashes broke out on Thursday the coastal district of Al-Wazaiya, west of Taiz province, killing a man and wounding four others, including women.

Human rights and local sources reported that two of the attacking fighters were also wounded during the clashes, which were carried out by forces loyal to Tarek Saleh, nephew of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and aligned with the United Arab Emirates.

The sources added that Saleh’s forces carried out widespread kidnappings during the storming of villages and homes, in what they described as a “barbaric” operation. The assault included raiding the local health unit, detaining the body of the deceased, and preventing medical treatment for the wounded.

The forces also imposed a state of emergency on Al-Wazaiya residents and deployed reinforcements from Mocha city of Taiz across villages, valleys, and main and secondary roads. Simultaneously, a curfew was issued, prohibiting citizens from leaving their homes after Thursday evening until further notice.

Earlier, the residents of Al-Wazaiya have repeatedly faced violations by Tarek Saleh’s forces since their involvement in fighting alongside the UAE against Sanaa-aligned forces.

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