Houthi Blockade of Taiz Leaves 13,000 Pregnant Women Without Care
Houthi forces have isolated Taiz, Yemen, blocking essential supplies and leaving thousands of pregnant women and 800,000 civilians without food or healthcare.
Intensified fighting between Iran-aligned Houthi rebels and the Saudi-backed government has isolated Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city, triggering a severe humanitarian crisis. The Houthi movement has blocked key supply routes, including the Taiz-Aden corridor, cutting off food, water, fuel, and medical supplies for approximately one month.
The blockade has crippled maternal healthcare, leaving more than 13,000 pregnant women without essential services. Only 5 of 27 emergency maternal and neonatal health facilities remain partially functional, and the Yemeni-Swedish Motherhood and Childhood Hospital faces potential closure. Simultaneously, the World Food Programme reports that over 800,000 people have been cut off from food assistance since early October.
Violence in the Taiz governorate has displaced roughly 134,000 people, contributing to a wider displacement of over 319,000 across western Yemen. World Health Organization data indicates that as of October 25, 2026, at least 1,677 people were killed and 7,395 injured. While Taiz Governor Nabil Shamsan stated that negotiations are underway to restore supplies, humanitarian organizations report that ongoing insecurity continues to prevent the delivery of emergency aid to displaced populations.
