The Ministry of Human Rights condemns the terrorist Houthi militias’ continued promotion of claims that roads have been reopened, while their attacks and control over supply routes have rendered those roads inaccessible to residents and shipments of essential supplies. The Ministry affirms that these claims do not alter the reality of the siege or absolve the militias of responsibility for its consequences. The reopening of roads must be measured by safe freedom of movement and the actual delivery of supplies to residents. These rights must not be subjected to coercion or blackmail.
The Ministry warns of the grave consequences of the Houthi militias’ tightening of the siege on the city of Taiz following their extensive attacks in surrounding areas and their seizure of the road connecting the city to supply routes from other governorates, which have brought traffic to a halt and disrupted the delivery of essential supplies.
The Ministry further stresses that the closure of this road compounds the effects of the siege endured by the people of Taiz for twelve years. It threatens to worsen shortages of food, medicine and fuel within the city, obstructs the delivery of supplies to markets and vital facilities, and prevents patients from travelling outside the city for treatment. This places critically ill patients at immediate risk and increases the burden on families already exhausted by years of war and siege.
In light of the appeal issued by the Governor of Taiz on 11 October, and warnings from the health sector that medicines, medical supplies and fuel are close to running out, the Ministry affirms that the response can no longer be delayed. Disruptions to supplies threaten the continued provision of emergency services, surgery, intensive care, dialysis and neonatal incubator care. They expose patients, wounded people, pregnant women and newborns to risks that can be prevented by securing urgent supplies and ensuring access to care.
The Ministry holds the terrorist Houthi militias and their leaders responsible for tightening the siege and closing supply routes, and for the resulting threats to civilian lives and deprivation of food, medicine and healthcare. It stresses that protecting civilians, ensuring access to their basic necessities, and safeguarding patients, healthcare personnel and health facilities are obligations that are not negotiable. Depriving residents of the essentials necessary for survival cannot be justified on any military or political grounds.
The Ministry calls on the United Nations and international humanitarian and human rights organizations to mount an urgent response commensurate with the gravity of the situation. It urges the international community to exert effective pressure to lift the siege and ensure safe and sustained humanitarian access. The Ministry affirms that the priority is to deliver life-saving supplies, ensure the continued operation of health facilities and essential services, and translate humanitarian appeals into tangible measures that reach residents and reduce the dangers they face.
The Ministry of Human Rights continues to monitor and document violations associated with the siege and their effects on civilians, and to follow up with the relevant authorities in support of protection and accountability efforts. It stresses that the gravity of the situation in Taiz requires urgent measures to ensure the delivery of basic necessities and the continuity of life-saving services.
Issued by: Ministry of Human Rights
Aden | 12 October 2026
