Houthis Cut Road Access to Yemen's Taiz, Leaving the Third-Largest City Besieged as UN Demands Aid

Summary

Iran-backed Houthi fighters have besieged Taiz, one of Yemen's largest cities, by cutting the only road linking it to Aden, the interim capital of the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government. Houthi fighters have encircled the city since early October, and officials there warn of an impending humanitarian disaster as essential supplies run low. On Tuesday, UN human rights chief Volker Turk said humanitarian aid must be immediately allowed to enter the city and its passage facilitated, warning that the closure of the route places civilians at grave risk by blocking aid and cutting off essential supplies.

Timeline

1. The New York Times

   20 Oct 2026, 13:13 UTCSource ↗

   The Iranian-backed Houthi militia has cut road access to Taiz, besieging one of Yemen's largest cities, and officials there warn of an impending humanitarian disaster.

2. Middle East Eye

   20 Oct 2026, 15:28 UTCSource ↗

   UN human rights chief Volker Turk demanded immediate aid access to Taiz, which Iran-aligned Houthi fighters have encircled since early October by blocking the road to Aden, and said the closure places civilians at grave risk.