Yemen’s Houthis tighten siege of key city
Houthi fighters have intensified their siege on the Yemeni city of Taiz, leading to significant casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis. Both sides report ongoing heavy fighting despite international pressure and airstrikes.
Why it matters
The escalation threatens to exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen, further destabilizing the region near critical maritime trade routes.
Houthi fighters have tightened their siege of the Yemeni city of Taiz, where fighting has killed more than 60 people in the past 24 hours, military sources from both sides told A FP o n Monday (October 12, 2026).
The Houthis have blocked all exits and carried out several attacks overnight, said a military source loyal to the internationally recognised, Saudi-backed government that holds the city.
The violence killed 22 members of the pro-government forces, the source said.
The Houthis lost at least 40 fighters, according to military sources from the Iran-backed movement, who said they were sending reinforcements.
The Houthis were keeping up their fight in Taiz governorate despite coming under Saudi airstrikes, the sources said.
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