Taiz authorities report severe famine amid Houthi siege
Civilians in the besieged Yemeni city of Taiz face a severe famine as heavy fighting and a strict blockade cut off essential supplies, local authorities reported. The ongoing military offensive has killed nearly 300 people since the beginning of the month.
Siege Conditions and Famine in Taiz
The southwestern city of Taiz is completely sealed off from incoming water, food, medicine, and fuel supplies. Nabil Shamsan stated that the municipality is not merely on the brink of disaster but is currently experiencing an active famine, according to nos.nl. Local authorities accuse Houthi forces, who have surrounded the urban center, of engineering the humanitarian crisis. Human Rights Watch reported that the deliberate withholding of basic necessities constitutes a severe humanitarian crisis and potentially amounts to a war crime.
Fighting within the city limits has proved deadly for non-combatants. A local human rights organization documented the deaths of nine civilians killed by Houthi fighters over a two-day span, alongside eleven reported abductions. Meanwhile, the Houthi Ministry of Public Health claimed that separate Saudi airstrikes resulted in thirteen civilian deaths.
Houthi and Yemeni Military Trade Claims over Taiz
Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi asserted in a televised address that humanitarian aid does reach Taiz, alleging that forces only block weapon shipments intended for pro-Saudi militias. Conversely, the Yemeni military reported neutralizing more than 300 Houthi fighters during intense ground engagements and hundreds of attacks targeting western Taiz positions over a 24-hour window.
The broader conflict continues to impact economic infrastructure across the region. Houthi forces claimed responsibility for multiple airstrikes and missile attacks directed at Saudi Arabia, targeting international airports and oil facilities. Haarlemsdagblad.nl reported that the group specifically targeted the Ras Tanura oil refinery along the Persian Gulf, a critical node for the kingdom’s petroleum exports, resulting in a reported fire. Saudi authorities confirmed that two ballistic missiles heading toward Riyadh were intercepted, with falling debris injuring one citizen and damaging a residential property.
Diplomatic Channels Remain Gridlocked as Military Engagements Continue
Military engagements between the Houthi movement and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government show no immediate signs of de-escalation. Diplomatic channels remain gridlocked as both sides trade responsibility for civilian casualties and restricted access to vital urban centers.