Taiz — A 56-year-old Yemeni civilian, Mahfouth Hamoud Ali Al-Makhlafi, was fatally shot by a Houthi sniper in the Sala district of Taiz city, in a tragic incident that underscores the persistent threat to non-combatants in the besieged city.

According to local sources, Al-Makhlafi was sitting outside his home on Thursday evening when a sniper positioned at the Mohammed Ali Othman School, under Houthi control, opened fire. The first bullet struck his left leg, and as he attempted to move, a second round hit his thigh. He died shortly afterward due to excessive bleeding and delayed access to medical care.

This incident adds to a growing list of sniper attacks targeting civilians in Taiz, where Houthi forces have maintained positions overlooking residential neighborhoods. Human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned the use of snipers in populated areas, calling it a deliberate tactic of intimidation and harm.

Local residents report an uptick in sniper activity in recent weeks, with multiple casualties including children and elderly individuals. The strategic placement of snipers near schools and civilian infrastructure has drawn criticism from humanitarian groups.

Al-Makhlafi’s death has sparked renewed calls for international intervention and accountability. Local authorities and civil society groups are urging the United Nations and human rights bodies to investigate the incident and pressure the Houthi group to halt attacks on civilians.

Community members mourn the loss of Al-Makhlafi, describing him as a peaceful man with no ties to the conflict. His killing serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of Yemen’s prolonged war and the urgent need for protective measures in frontline cities like Taiz.