The small mountain village of Al-Akad in Yemen has been left largely deserted following intense shelling by Houthi forces, forcing the majority of its residents to flee. Located approximately 950 meters above sea level in the Taiz region, Al-Akad has been caught in the recent surge of fighting that has engulfed large parts of the country.

Since the Houthis launched a rapid offensive that swept through the area, tens of thousands of Yemenis have been displaced, many seeking refuge in less conflict-prone zones. According to United Nations data, the latest escalation of hostilities, which began in July, has uprooted over 100,000 people amid clashes between the pro-Iran Houthi rebel movement and Saudi-backed forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognized government.

At the moment, only a handful of villagers have ventured back to Al-Akad to assess the condition of their homes. Abdallah Hassan Ahmed, one of the few residents spotted in the village, said he returned to check on his family’s property as well as those of neighbors who entrusted their keys to him. However, he acknowledged that the area remains unsafe for a full return due to ongoing shelling threats.

“Everyone just grabbed their children and left. We had no choice,” Ahmed recalled, describing the urgent evacuation as Houthi fighters advanced through the mountain settlement.

Another resident, Basem Abdullah al-Nawahi, also made the journey back to inspect his house. He noted that most families remain displaced in camps or nearby villages, unable to return amid the persistent security risks.

The Taiz region, where Al-Akad is situated, has become a focal point of renewed conflict after years of relative calm in Yemen. The Houthis, who have controlled large portions of northern Yemen for some time, have more recently expanded their reach southward, capturing key areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait—a strategic chokepoint vital to global maritime trade and energy supplies.

As fighting intensifies across Yemen, the humanitarian toll continues to rise, exacerbating the plight of one of the poorest countries in the region and complicating efforts to achieve peace and stability. The fate of villages like Al-Akad underscores the ongoing vulnerability of civilians caught between rival forces amid the protracted conflict.