The Iran-backed Houthis said on Thursday that a Saudi strike on a residential area in Yemen's western Taiz province killed 12 people, as casualties mount in. The Yemeni officials appealed for international support to protect civilians in Taiz as the Houthis tightened their siege of the city. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people were killed and three others critically wounded on Thursday in airstrikes on two residential houses in Yemen's southwestern.