Brief
Houthis tighten siege on Yemen’s Taiz, cutting food and fuel routes
The capture of al‑Turbah on Oct 4 has closed the final supply road into Taiz, reviving memories of the 2015‑16 siege and driving up prices for residents.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Al Jazeera reports that the Houthis captured the town of al‑Turbah on Oct 4, 2026, cutting the only remaining main road linking Taiz city to government‑held areas and prompting fears of a renewed full‑scale siege.
What happened
In early September 2026 the Houthis launched an offensive along the Red Sea coast of Taiz governorate, taking the port city of Mocha and the district of Dhubab, which controls the Bab al‑Mandeb strait. Government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, began a counter‑offensive in early October and reclaimed some lost ground, but the Houthis continued to advance in the countryside surrounding Taiz. By Oct 4 they had seized al‑Turbah, the last town on the main supply route to Taiz, effectively sealing the city off from overland deliveries of food, fuel and medicine.
What the reports add
The article notes that the siege is "more comprehensive and its impact more severe than in 2015," according to Nabil Jamil, director‑general of the planning and development office in Taiz governorate. It also recalls the 2015‑16 siege, when pro‑government forces were confined to an enclave and residents suffered extreme shortages of water, food, fuel and medicine. The piece mentions that a crossing reopened in 2024 under pressure but has now been closed again after recent fighting, according to security sources who spoke to Al Jazeera.
What was said
Iskandar Abdullah, a 37‑year‑old Taiz resident who lived through the 2015‑16 siege, told Al Jazeera, "People lacked even the most basic necessities of life, including drinking water, food, fuel and medicine." He added that supplies were only smuggled across rugged mountain terrain on the backs of people and donkeys. Nabil Jamil said the current siege is "more comprehensive and its impact more severe than in 2015" and emphasized that both main and secondary roads are now blocked.
How it came about
The renewed blockade follows the Houthis' capture of Mocha and Dhubab in September, which gave them control of the Bab al‑Mandeb strait, a key chokepoint for global trade. Earlier this year, the Houthis had already been maintaining a partial siege on Taiz by controlling other access points. The October 4 seizure of al‑Turbah represents the latest step in a series of advances that have re‑opened old wounds for residents who recall the devastating 2015‑16 siege.
Key facts
- Houthis captured al‑Turbah on Oct 4, 2026, closing the last main road into Taiz. (aljazeera.com)
- The siege is described as more comprehensive than the 2015‑16 siege. (aljazeera.com)
- Residents report shortages of water, food, fuel and medicine, echoing past hardships. (aljazeera.com)
Timeline
- 2024-01-01 — Houthis reopened an eastern route into Taiz under pressure.
- 2026-09-01 — Houthis launched offensive along Red Sea coast, capturing Mocha and Dhubab.
- 2026-10-04 — Houthis seized al‑Turbah, cutting the final supply road to Taiz.
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Yemen’s Taiz under siege again as food and fuel prices rise”
