Amnesty International Urges Huthi Authorities to Reopen Roadways Around Besieged Ta’iz

Amnesty International has called on Huthi de facto authorities to immediately reopen critical roads in and around Yemen's city of Ta’iz as intensifying clashes with government forces move closer to populated residential areas. The rights organization stated that the closure of the main road connecting Ta’iz to Aden in October has pushed the city toward a severe humanitarian crisis by blocking aid, food, water, and healthcare for hundreds of thousands of residents.

According to Amnesty International, Huthi forces have tightened their control around Ta’iz, forcing civilians to rely on hazardous mountain routes. Ta’iz, Yemen's third-largest city, currently hosts the country's highest number of internally displaced people. The organization highlighted that international humanitarian law obligates all parties to allow unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief and guarantee safe movement for civilians wishing to leave besieged zones.

United Nations agencies reported that vital infrastructure in the city is under immense strain. Medical facilities face dangerous shortages of fuel and oxygen, while wheat and flour reserves could be depleted in less than three weeks. Food prices have increased by approximately 50 percent, and cooking gas has become mostly unavailable.

Civilian casualties have also escalated. The UN Human Rights Office documented that between August 1 and October 19, 32 civilians were killed across the Ta’iz governorate—including 14 children and nine women—while 115 civilians were injured, among them 36 children and 34 women.

The current escalation follows the collapse in July of a UN-brokered ceasefire established in 2022. The breakdown occurred after airstrikes hit the Huthi-controlled Sana’a international airport, an attack claimed by the internationally recognized government, though Huthis accused Saudi Arabia of conducting the strike. Subsequent fighting intensified along Yemen's western coast and within Ta’iz governorate.

Following the collapse of the truce, Huthi forces launched drone and missile strikes into Saudi Arabia targeting airports and oil infrastructure, killing at least 20 people and injuring hundreds according to Saudi official media. The Saudi military subsequently resumed airstrikes on Huthi-controlled areas. Amnesty International noted that the renewed fighting comes amid severe international aid funding cuts and called on donor states to provide sufficient support for Yemen's humanitarian response.

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