Yemeni government condemns Houthi militias for tightening siege on Taiz

Aden, October 12 (KUNA) -- The Yemeni government condemned on Monday the continued closure of supply routes and tightening of the siege on the city of Taiz in southwestern Yemen by Houthi militias, warning of dire consequences for the humanitarian and health situation in the city.

In a statement, the Yemeni Ministry of Human Rights said that the Houthi militias’ claims about opening roads do not change the reality of the siege nor absolve them of responsibility for its repercussions. It added that opening roads should be measured by the freedom of safe movement and the actual delivery of supplies to the population.

The statement warned that the Houthi militias’ control over the road linking Taiz with supply outlets to other governorates has halted traffic and disrupted the delivery of food shipments, threatening to exacerbate shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, and hindering the transfer of patients to treatment facilities outside the city.

It emphasized that the continued closure of roads doubles the impact of the siege imposed on Taiz for 12 years, threatening the continuity of emergency services, surgeries, intensive care, dialysis, and neonatal units, amid warnings that medicines, medical supplies, and fuel are nearing depletion.

The statement held the Houthi militias and their leadership responsible for tightening the siege, endangering the lives of civilians, and depriving them of basic needs and healthcare. It stressed that protecting civilians, ensuring the delivery of food and medicine, and safeguarding the safety of patients, medical staff, and health facilities are non-negotiable obligations.

It called on the United Nations and international humanitarian and human rights organizations to take urgent action and exert pressure to lift the siege, ensure safe, sustainable humanitarian access, deliver life-saving supplies, and guarantee the continuity of health facilities and vital services. (End) S.N.S. / N.S.A.