Yemen's Taiz under Houthi siege: governor says the city is being sent "back to the stone age"

L2Who’s affected

More than 800,000 people inside the city; up to 1,800 dialysis patients without supplies; 120 health centres suspended; schools closed, affecting hundreds of thousands of children. He said 64 people were killed and 173 injured from August to Oct 20, and more than 6,400 newly displaced families arrived. "We are not talking about living, just surviving."

L3Why it’s quiet

Analysis · OVERLOOKED Yemen's internal war rarely makes U.S. headlines, and regional coverage is dominated by the U.S.-Iran war and Strait of Hormuz talks.

L4Deeper impact

Shamsan accused the Houthis of a "war of vengeance" to change Yemen's identity, saying captured villages get new religious leaders and curricula and children are being sent to front lines. He said Houthis control mobile networks and eavesdrop. HRW's Niku Jafarnia: renewed efforts to cut off food, water and medicine "show their utter disregard for civilian lives." Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi says the way is open for aid and "anyone who wants to verify that there is no siege... can go to the city and see."

L5Full context

HRW describes a 12-year-long siege of Taiz during which the Houthis have "bombed, starved and denied humanitarian aid to a million residents." Shamsan said what is needed is access for aid agencies, including the UN, not statements of solidarity.

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