Houthi Siege of Taiz Sparks Humanitarian Crisis and Clashes

The Government of Yemen has warned of an imminent health and humanitarian catastrophe in Taiz as Houthi forces tighten a siege on the southwestern city. The Ministry of Public Health and Population reported that fuel, medicines, and medical supplies are nearly depleted, threatening the collapse of neonatal services, dialysis, surgery, and emergency care. This blockade follows a Houthi offensive in September and October that captured the port city of Mocha and the town of At Turbah, severing the final main road between Taiz and government-held areas.

Local officials describe the current siege as more severe than the 2015-2016 blockade, noting that black market fuel prices have tripled. The Yemeni government has demanded the immediate lifting of the siege and called on the United Nations to deliver critical fuel and medical supplies.

Simultaneously, military escalations have intensified in the western Taiz province. The Giants Brigades, a government-aligned force, destroyed five Houthi armored vehicles and killed the occupants during a failed Houthi advance toward Dhubab Airport on Saturday. This followed a separate thwarted attack near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Giants Brigades had previously seized control of Dhubab Airport on Monday. These clashes represent the most significant fighting since a truce took effect in April 2022.