Fighting rages in Yemen's 3rd-largest city, strikes continue

SANAA, Yemen — Deadly street battles raged in Yemen's third-largest city on Sunday, as airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition battling Shiite rebels struck targets in several cities, security officials said.

The fighting in Taiz between government forces and rebels was heaviest around government and security buildings in the city center, killing some 20 civilians and wounding dozens more, they said, adding that indiscriminately fired mortar rounds hit several private residences and landed near a hospital at one point.

Reached by telephone, Taiz residents described relentless artillery, tank and heavy machine gun fire blasting through the city as families sought shelter wherever they could.

"It's like our homes have become a military target, they are killing us in cold blood," said resident Tawfiq Al Maamari. "We left our homes with our children because the missiles are raining down on us without mercy."

The continued airstrikes and combat between rival factions on the ground underline how a negotiated peace remains elusive in the Arab world's poorest country, despite a Saudi announcement last week that coalition operations would scale down and shift to focus on diplomacy, humanitarian and counter-terrorism issues. Both sides have said they welcome a return to dialogue.

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