Five civilians, including two children, killed by Houthi rocket in Yemen

Yemeni authorities seize drugs making their way to the Houthi rebels

Tribesman loyal to the Houthi rebels chant slogans during a gathering aimed at mobilising more fighters into battlefronts. AP

Five civilians, including two children, were killed in Yemen when a rocket launched by the Houthi rebels hit a wedding celebration in the Al Hazem district in the centre of Al Jawf province.

Tariq Razzaz, an Al Jawf-based journalist for Aden TV, said that the Houthi rebels intentionally targeted the all-female party with a Katyusha missile. At least 10 women were injured.

"Three women and two children were killed," he told The National.

“The wedding quickly turned from a celebration to a funeral, sparking a wave of anger among the residents.

“They are furious at the rebels, who continuously target areas that have been liberated from them and have no concern for the civilians they are killing.”

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Mr Razzaz said that the criminal activity of the Iran-backed militia, which has been fighting forces of the internationally-recognised government of Yemeni President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi since 2014, does not stop there.

Security forces in Al Hazem seized 240 kilograms of heroin that was making its way to the Houthi rebels, he said.

“The authorities seized a truck that was carrying the drugs, hidden under baskets of onions, and the driver admitted that he was delivering them to Houthi officials in Saada province to the north of Al Jawf,” said Mr Razzaz.

It is believed that the Houthi rebels use drugs to help fund their activities.

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Hodeidah governor: UN must work faster to help break Houthi 'siege' on port city

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Meanwhile, the Arab coalition fighting on behalf of the legitimate government destroyed four Houthi tanks on Sunday along the route that links the port city of Al Hodeidah and the capital Sanaa, a security source told The National.

The coalition, which includes Saudi Arabia and the UAE, intervened in the Yemen war in March 2015 at the request of Mr Hadi’s government after the rebels took control of Sanaa.

At least 10,000 people have been killed and millions have been displaced in the Yemen conflict.