Lahj:At least 20 civilians were killed and injured in a missile attack by the Houthi group on a health center in Yemen's southwestern Lahj province on Monday. The attack targeted the Al-Suqya health center located in the Al-Mudaribah and Al-Arah district of Lahj province, as reported by government-run media.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the state-run Saba satellite channel confirmed the incident but did not provide a detailed breakdown of the fatalities and injuries or additional specifics about the assault. The Houthi group has not made any immediate comments regarding the report.

Lahj province, which borders Yemen's temporary capital, Aden, is of strategic importance due to its connections with other provinces and proximity to the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden. Recent weeks have seen repeated clashes between government forces and the Houthis in Lahj's Al-Mudaribah district, with control of the area remaining contested.

The ongoing conflict between government forces and the Houthis has intensified since July, resulting in significant casualties and displacement. The escalation marks an end to a relatively calm period since April 2022, exacerbating Yemen's humanitarian crisis further.