Yemen’s southwestern city of Taiz is enduring a renewed military blockade as Houthi militants consolidate control over surrounding territories, raising alarms about a severe humanitarian crisis. The siege, which cut off the primary route to government-held areas by early October, mirrors the devastating isolation the city faced during the 2015-2016 conflict.
Skandaar Abdullah, a 37-year-old resident, recalled the harsh realities of the previous siege, describing the bitterness of life when basic necessities were unavailable. “I hope those painful days never return,” he said, as the Houthis pressed their offensive along the Red Sea coast and captured the strategic town of al-Turbah.
The military maneuver effectively severed the only major road connecting Taiz to other loyalist-held regions. Although government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, launched a counteroffensive in early October to reclaim lost ground, Houthi fighters maintained their advance in the rural periphery, closing a vital eastern crossing that had been reopened in 2024 under international pressure.
Nabil Jamil, director-general of the Taiz planning and development office, stated that the current encirclement is “more comprehensive” than the one in 2015. He noted that the blockade affects not only main arteries but also secondary roads linking rural districts, impacting approximately 2.8 million residents in government-controlled zones and an additional 200,000 displaced persons.
The immediate impact has been felt in markets, where streets appeared deserted due to acute fuel shortages. On the black market, the price of a 20-liter container of petrol skyrocketed from 30,000 to 90,000 Yemeni riyals, roughly $19 to $58. Simultaneously, demand for food has surged, with prices for vegetables and fruits doubling and significant increases recorded for wheat and flour.
Wafiq Saleh, a journalist specializing in economic affairs, observed that while some traders hold sufficient stocks for several months, prices rose immediately as fighting intensified on the city’s outskirts. Residents have accused merchants of hoarding essential goods in the absence of effective market oversight.
Salman al-Maqrami, a journalist focusing on Houthi affairs, suggested the siege aims to destabilize forces opposed to the group within Taiz. He argued the militants are seeking revenge against a population hostile to their rule, while capturing the city would serve as a symbolic demonstration of their ability to threaten any government-held area.
Nabil Sharyan, head of the Justice for Rights and Development Organization, warned that civilians are bearing an enormous cost, particularly patients, children, women, and the elderly who face difficulties accessing medical care. He called on the international community and human rights bodies to ensure safe passage for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Local authorities have written to the United Nations requesting assistance to open safe corridors for medical travel and the transport of food and medicine. Jamil confirmed that the city is still awaiting a response or on-the-ground intervention to alleviate the crisis.
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