HALO Trust Staff and Civilians Trapped as Siege Tightens Around Yemen’s Taiz

Around 30 staff members from the landmine clearance organisation HALO Trust are among hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped in the Yemeni city of Taiz after Houthi fighters encircled the government-held enclave and severed all supply routes, the organisation announced on 21 October 2026.

According to the HALO Trust, the blockade has cut off the final mountain and valley route connecting the city to the interim capital of Aden. Teams on the ground report that essential supplies of food, water, fuel, and medical provisions are dwindling amid an intensifying humanitarian crisis.

The encirclement comes as heavy fighting escalates around the frontline city between the Internationally Recognised Government (IRG) and Houthi forces. Taiz remains heavily contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants from prolonged conflict, where HALO personnel have been conducting mine clearance operations.

The organisation highlighted the impact on civilians and its personnel, noting an instance where an employee located outside the city was separated from her young children and relatives who fled north, as road closures between IRG and Houthi-controlled areas prevent reunification.

"Behind this siege are real people facing impossible choices. Our staff are trapped in Taiz, separated from their families and uncertain when they’ll see their loved ones again," said Mara van der Kamp, HALO Yemen Programme Manager, warning of escalating civilian hardship as essential resources become scarce.

HALO has operated in Yemen since 2019 and launched operations in Taiz in late 2022, currently employing around 70 personnel across Aden, Taiz, and Ad Dhale in partnership with YEMAC. According to the UN's 2026 Yemen Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, an estimated 22.3 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance, with 18.3 million facing acute food insecurity.

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