Key facts
- Taiz governor accused Houthis of imposing a month-long siege, restricting aid and supplies.
- Daily water supply is estimated at 1,000 cubic meters, far below the 35,000 cubic meters needed.
- 64 people were killed and 173 injured between August and October 20, 2026.
- 120 health centers have suspended operations due to lack of supplies and fuel.
- Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi denied a siege, stating aid can enter the city.
The governor of Taiz, Nabil Shamsan, accused Houthi forces of attempting to plunge the besieged Yemeni city into the "stone age" through a month-long siege that has severely restricted essential supplies. In a briefing aimed at urging international intervention, Shamsan detailed critical shortages of water, food, and medicine, alongside the suspension of health services and schools.
Shamsan claimed that daily water supplies are drastically insufficient, with no more than 1,000 cubic meters allowed in, compared to the city's estimated need of 35,000 cubic meters. He also reported depleted food stocks, soaring wheat prices, and restaurant closures due to fuel scarcity. The governor stated that 1,800 individuals require dialysis but lack access to supplies, and 120 health centers have ceased operations.
Between August and October 20, 2026, Shamsan reported 64 fatalities and 173 injuries, attributing them to the conflict and siege. He also noted the arrival of over 6,400 displaced families. Shamsan accused the Houthis of controlling access roads and issuing an ultimatum for residents to either leave or face death, alleging a broader agenda to change Yemen's identity rather than engage in a military battle.