Brief
Yemen's Taiz faces food shortages as Houthi advance tightens siege
The UN warns that the Houthi push into Taiz has left 800,000 residents with limited access to food and fuel.
By Felo News Desk · Published
As Houthi rebels close in on the Yemeni city of Taiz, residents are scrambling for dwindling supplies, the UN World Food Programme warned on Monday that 800,000 people in the city are now cut off from vital assistance.
What happened
Iran‑aligned Houthi forces have advanced toward Taiz, prompting the Saudi‑backed Yemeni government to seal off roads into the city. The tightening of routes has halted deliveries of fuel, food and other essentials. Prices have surged, with petrol costs more than doubling in a week and basic staples such as wheat flour selling for over twice their normal price.
What the reports add
The Guardian described how crowds gathered around grocery stores and gas stations, trying to stock up before supplies vanished. It noted that the speed of the Houthi advance gave people little time to prepare, sparking a sudden rush on remaining goods. The article also cited the UN World Food Programme’s warning that the fighting has denied aid to 800,000 residents in a city of about one million, already among the most food‑insecure in Yemen.
What was said
"I wasn’t aware that the situation would become difficult so suddenly and that shops would close, but since 3 October, almost all food items have disappeared," said 48‑year‑old Ali Abdulsamed, who was trying to find food for his family of six. He added that he could not afford the higher petrol price and had to walk to multiple shops before finding a 25 kg bag of wheat flour at more than twice its usual cost.
How it came about
Earlier this month, Yemeni government forces launched an offensive in the al‑Waziiya district of Taiz as part of the “Dawn of Yemen” campaign, while Houthi attacks elsewhere have intensified pressure on supply lines. The current humanitarian squeeze follows weeks of fighting that have displaced hundreds of thousands of people and strained aid operations across the governorate.
Key facts
- Houthi forces are advancing toward Taiz, tightening the siege on the city. (theguardian.com)
- The UN World Food Programme warned that 800,000 people in Taiz have been denied aid. (theguardian.com)
- Petrol prices have more than doubled in a week, and wheat flour is selling for over twice its usual price. (theguardian.com)
- Ali Abdulsamed, a 48‑year‑old resident, struggled to find food for his family of six. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “‘We expect war to reach the city soon’: Yemenis stockpile as Houthis advance on Taiz”
