The European Union and Yemen’s internationally recognised government have demanded that Houthi militias immediately lift their blockade of the city of Taiz. Officials warned on Wednesday that deteriorating conditions now endanger millions of residents.
"We are following the situation in Taiz with grave concern and call on the Houthis to lift their siege of the city and allow food, water, medicine and fuel to enter," the EU said in a statement posted on social media.
The European bloc called for the safeguarding of civilians and civilian infrastructure. It also said that humanitarian partners must retain unhindered access to deliver essential aid.
Yemen’s Foreign Minister, Afrah Al-Zouba, appealed directly to the United Nations and the UN Security Council on Wednesday. She urged international bodies to take urgent action to dismantle the siege and avert a large-scale catastrophe.
In formal letters sent to senior UN officials and the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Al-Zouba stated that tightening restrictions threaten more than 4 million people. The affected population includes both urban residents and displaced families.
These displaced individuals have fled to surrounding districts, including Al-Shamayatayn, Al-Mawasit and Jabal Habashi. Al-Zouba said the international community must apply direct pressure to force the reopening of all access routes into Taiz.
She demanded the sustained delivery of drinking water, food and fuel supplies. The foreign minister also called for stronger monitoring of alleged violations, alongside accountability measures for those responsible.
Al-Zouba pressed the international community to adopt a firm stance against practices that deny civilians basic necessities or use humanitarian needs for political pressure.
"The gravity of the current situation in Taiz, and the direct threat it poses to civilians’ lives, dignity and fundamental rights, requires urgent international action that goes beyond expressions of concern to concrete and practical measures to end the siege, restore the flow of essential supplies, protect civilian facilities and prevent the humanitarian catastrophe from worsening," she said.
The Yemeni government reiterated its commitment to cooperating with the United Nations, humanitarian agencies, human rights groups and international partners. Authorities stated they aim to alleviate civilian suffering and ensure aid reaches vulnerable populations.
