The Yemeni city of Taiz is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis as the Iran-backed Houthi militia tightens its siege, cutting off essential supplies of food, water, and fuel. Now entering its third week, the blockade has left hundreds of thousands of residents at risk of severe shortages amid escalating conflict between the Houthis and forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

In early October, the Houthis seized the last remaining road connecting Taiz to the southern city of Aden, a critical supply route renovated by Saudi Arabia to bypass Houthi checkpoints. Since this move, trucks carrying basic goods and fuel have been barred from entering the densely populated city, creating severe scarcities and pushing prices of staples like wheat, flour, and rice to prohibitive levels. Residents have reported rationing food to a single meal per day and resorting to burning firewood, coal, or even cardboard for cooking fuel as traditional sources become unavailable.

Local officials and health workers have raised alarms about the impact of the blockade on medical facilities. Hospitals are nearly out of fuel required to operate generators, and essential medications for chronic illnesses and life-threatening conditions are dangerously low. Medical personnel warn that if the siege continues, a healthcare catastrophe could unfold, endangering the lives of many patients.

“Food supplies such as wheat, flour, rice, and other basic necessities are unavailable,” said a local resident, who noted that families are increasingly isolated and struggling to cope. Another resident described how her family has started boiling salty tap water and is unable to procure medications for elderly relatives with diabetes.

The Houthis accuse government-aligned forces of obstructing access to the city, calling on them to surrender and offering to open "safe roads" to ease civilian suffering. Meanwhile, the governor of the Houthi-controlled areas stated efforts were underway to coordinate humanitarian deliveries. However, frontline fighting continues around Taiz, with both sides vying for control amid heavy bombardment. Government military officials reject Houthi calls for surrender, emphasizing their resolve to continue resisting despite dwindling supplies.

The United Nations human rights chief expressed deep concern over the siege’s impact on civilians, highlighting that the blockade risks placing residents in grave danger. The conflict, which reignited this year after a fragile truce, is part of a broader escalation in Yemen amid regional tensions involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, and their allies. Since August, fighting and displacement have intensified, including Houthi advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.

As the siege stretches on, residents face growing hardships, with reports of garbage piling up due to disrupted services and limited access to clean water. Some have attempted to flee the city, but routes remain hazardous. Both sides continue to endure heavy losses, underscoring the dire humanitarian and military situation in Taiz as the conflict persists.