The Saudi-led coalition and Yemen's internationally-recognized government said Tuesday the Houthi rebels were behind a strike on a market that killed at least 14 civilians, contradicting earlier claims by the rebels who said the coalition was to blame for the attack.
The statement, sent to reporters by Yemen's Embassy in Washington, alleged the Houthis launched Katyusha rockets at the al-Thabet market and then attempted to deflect blame by accusing the Saudi-led coalition for Monday's early morning attack.
The statement did not explain why the Houthis would target an area under their control. The rebels control much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, which they overran in late 2014.
Coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki told The Associated Press in a statement that the Houthis, who are supported by Iran, carried out the attack in "an act of vengeance and pure spite."
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