As Houthis encircle Taiz, Yemen's Saudi-backed gov't faces disaster

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1. 1h ago

   Houthis Encircle Taiz as Yemen Faces Humanitarian Disaster

   Iran-backed Houthi rebels have largely encircled Yemen's third-largest city of Taiz, cutting off key supply routes and threatening a humanitarian disaster for over a million residents. Fighting since September has severely disrupted public sanitation, leaving the city dangerously short of water, fresh food, and fuel. Families are skipping meals and burning firewood as essentials vanish, while the United Nations warns that water access for over 1.6 million children is at risk. Pregnant women face growing health risks, and thousands of civilians are fleeing the violence by boarding boats to cross the Red Sea.

   Why it matters

   The escalation in Taiz revives fears of a crushing siege that could mark a decisive turning point in the civil war and threaten western security, according to the country's former prime minister. The European Union and the Yemeni government have urged the Houthis to lift the siege and open vital roads immediately. Meanwhile, Amnesty International demands that the de facto authorities clear access paths as combat moves closer to densely populated areas.

   What is confirmed

   • Iran-backed Houthi rebels have largely encircled Yemen's third-largest city, Taiz, cutting off supply routes after capturing key areas.
   • Water for over 1.6 million children in Taiz is at risk as fighting intensifies and supply routes are blocked.
   • The European Union and the Yemeni government have urged the Houthis to lift the siege of Taiz and open vital roads.
   • Thousands of civilians have boarded boats to escape gunfire, bombing, and the dire humanitarian situation by crossing the Red Sea to Djibouti.
   • Houthi rebels captured the strategic islands of Greater and Lesser Hanish, according to government and Houthi officials.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A takeover of Taiz by Houthi forces could mark a decisive turning point in the country's civil war.

   What to watch next

   • Decisions by Houthi authorities to open vital roads in and around Taiz city
   • Emergency deployment of life-saving assistance by the World Food Programme and UN agencies
   • Further Red Sea crossings and evacuation numbers for families fleeing the front lines
   Sources used for this update (23)

   1. spectrumlocalnews.com — Saudi oil pipeline hit in strikes will be mostly out of service for several weeks for repair
   2. The Guardian — Future of western security is at stake in Yemen civil war, says country’s former PM
   3. Responsible Statecraft — As Houthis encircle Taiz, Yemen's Saudi-backed gov't faces disaster
   4. UN World Food Programme — WFP warns escalating Yemen conflict is cutting off life-saving assistance to city of Taiz | World Food Programme
   5. Africanews — Pregnant women in Yemen at growing risk as healthcare limited by fighting
   6. Arab News — EU, Yemen government urge Houthis to lift siege of Taiz
   7. The New York Times — Yemeni City of Taiz Running Out of Essentials as Houthis Close in
   8. Vatican News — Fighting intensifies in Yemen as humanitarian crisis deepens
   9. Unicef — Water for over 1,6 million children in Taiz at risk as fighting intensifies in Yemen
   10. Al Jazeera — Yemen’s Taiz faces deadly siege, as Shabwah death toll rises
   11. Yahoo — UN demands aid access to besieged Yemen city Taiz
   12. AP News — Houthis attack city in Yemen that UN says is at ‘grave risk’ by rebels’ siege
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