Two civilians were injured on Wednesday when Iranian-backed Houthi militias shelled residential neighborhoods in central Taiz, while a sponge factory was also targeted and caught fire.

Yemeni Ambassador to Austria Haytham Shoja'aadin met Wednesday with Nicholas Lauterotti, Director of International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid at the Austrian Foreign Ministry, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries.

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms reported that the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militias committed 109 crimes and violations over the past 48 hours in Taiz governorate, moreover firing more than 147 projectiles randomly, most of which targeted residential neighborhoods, and two ballistic missiles at the Sinah neighborhood in the center of Taiz city.

Human Rights Minister Mashdal Omar met with Christian Reich, the Middle East affairs official at Germany’s Foreign Ministry.

Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi has formally called on UN Secretary-General António Guterres to support international efforts through the Security Council to designate the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization, enforce the arms embargo, cut off its funding and weapons supplies, and hold its supporters accountable.

Yemeni Ambassador to the United States Jamila Raja held talks with US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Blome on the latest political and security developments in Yemen amid continued escalation by the Iran-backed Houthi militias.

Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba met with Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Muhammad Anis on the sidelines of the 52nd session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation based on the longstanding cultural, civilizational and humanitarian ties between the two peoples.

The Member of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Governor of Hadramout governorate Salem al-Khanbashi praised the projects and interventions of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Yemen, greatly appreciating its significant efforts that contributed toward implementing development and service projects in the governorate.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 52nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC member states, held in Baghdad,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the statement issued by the European Union (EU) Council, which strongly condemns the continued military escalation by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militias in Yemen and their attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly the attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Afrah al-Zouba condemned the recent statements by the Iranian Foreign Minister and officials in his ministry regarding what Tehran called "mediation" in Yemen, affirming that these statements do not cover the Iranian regime's responsibility for supporting the Houthi militia coup that sparked the war, and for prolonging it by arming, financing, training the militia, and supplying it with missiles, drones, and experts.

Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Dr. Afrah al-Zouba held a phone call with Indonesian Foreign Minister Armanatha Kristiawan Nasir on Friday.

His Excellency President Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, held talks on Friday with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband on the latest national and regional developments and coordinated efforts with the international community to strengthen regional security and stability.

The UN Security Council has strongly condemned the Houthi military escalation in Yemen and continued attacks against Saudi Arabia, calling for an immediate halt to assaults targeting civilians and civil infrastructure.

President Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi, the Chairman of Presidential Leadership Council, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces held phone calls on Thursday with Council members Lieutenant General Abdulrahman al-Muharrami and Lieutenant General Mahmoud al-Subaihi and Prime Minister Dr. Shaya Zindani to check on their safety and that of government members following a Houthi missile and drone attack on the presidential Maashiq Palace in the interim capital, Aden.

The Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates for Political Affairs Dr. Mansour Bagash expressed gratitude and thanks to the Japanese government for its constant support for Yemen and its significant contribution to the humanitarian and relief actions.

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms said it had documented 219 crimes and violations committed by Houthi militias in Taiz Governorate over the past 48 hours.

The European Union has called on Houthi terrorist militias to lift the siege imposed on the city of Taiz and allow food, water, medicine and fuel to enter the city.

Prime Minister Dr. Shaya Zindani stated that the Houthi militia’s continued attacks on civilians in Taiz and its unjust siege of the city constitute war crimes that will not expire with time.

A woman was killed and her daughter and two sisters were injured on Wednesday when a landmine planted by the Iran-backed Houthi militia exploded in Wadi Usus, in the center of Al-Shamayatayn District, south of Taiz Governorate.