Yemeni Human Rights condemns the Houthi siege of Taiz and the cutting off of supplies to the population

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On Monday, the Yemeni Ministry of Human Rights condemned the Houthi terrorist militia's continued promotion of claims of opening roads, its continued attacks and control of supply routes, and its closure to residents and supply shipments.

She stressed in a statement that these allegations do not change the reality of the siege and do not absolve the militias of their responsibility for its repercussions. Opening roads is measured by freedom of safe movement and the actual access of supplies to the population, and these rights should not be subjected to pressure and blackmail.

The Ministry warned of the dangerous repercussions of the Houthi militias tightening their siege on the city of Taiz, following their widespread attacks in the surrounding areas and their control of the road linking the city to the supply ports to the rest of the governorates, and the resulting cessation of traffic and disruption of the arrival of supply shipments.

She stressed that closing this road doubles the effects of the siege that the people of Taiz have suffered for twelve years, and threatens to exacerbate the shortage of food, medicine, and fuel within the city, and obstructs the arrival of supplies to markets and vital facilities and the transfer of patients to treatment outside the city, thus exposing critical cases to direct danger, and increasing the living burdens on families exhausted by years of war and siege.

The Ministry confirmed that, in light of the call of the Governor of Taiz issued on October 11, and health warnings about the imminent exhaustion of medicines, medical supplies, and fuel, the response can no longer tolerate delay, as the disruption of supplies threatens the continuation of emergency services, surgeries, intensive care, dialysis, and incubators, and exposes the sick and wounded, pregnant women, and newborns to risks that can be avoided by securing urgent needs and ensuring access to care.

The Ministry held the terrorist Houthi militias and their leaders responsible for tightening the siege and closing supply routes, and the resulting endangerment of civilian lives and depriving them of food, medicine, and health care. It also stressed that protecting civilians, ensuring access to their basic needs, and maintaining the safety of patients, staff, and health facilities are obligations that are not subject to bargaining, and that depriving the population of the necessities of life cannot be justified by any military or political considerations.

The Ministry called on the United Nations and international humanitarian and human rights organizations for an urgent response commensurate with the seriousness of the situation, which requires the international community to exert effective pressure to lift the blockade and ensure safe and sustainable humanitarian access, stressing that the priority is to deliver life-saving supplies, ensure the continuation of health facilities and vital services, and translate humanitarian appeals into concrete measures that reach the population and limit the dangers they face.

The Ministry of Human Rights confirmed that it will continue to monitor and document violations related to the siege and its effects on civilians, and follow up with the competent authorities to support protection and accountability efforts. She stressed that the seriousness of the situation in Taiz requires urgent measures to ensure the delivery of basic needs and the continuation of life-saving services.