UN: 250,000 flee renewed Yemen fighting as Taiz access blocked
UN says over 250,000 have fled renewed Yemen fighting, with Taiz access essentially blocked and 32 civilians confirmed killed in the governorate.
The story in focus
More than 250,000 people have fled renewed fighting in Yemen, the UN said, with Taiz city and governorate a particular concern as access is essentially blocked. The UN human rights chief urged Houthi fighters encircling Taiz to allow aid in immediately.
- Over 250,000 people have fled renewed fighting in Yemen, the UN said.
- The UN human rights chief said the Houthi closure of the only supply route linking Taiz to Aden is blocking aid and essential supplies.
- WHO reported 12 hospitals in Taiz had about four days of fuel remaining and oxygen cylinders in daily deficit.
Displacement and access
More than 250,000 people have fled renewed fighting in Yemen, the UN said, citing particular concern for those sheltering in Taiz and the wider governorate, where access is essentially blocked. About half of those recently uprooted have sought shelter in Taiz.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk said the Houthis' closure of the only supply route linking Taiz to Aden is placing civilians at grave risk by blocking humanitarian aid and cutting off essential supplies. He urged Houthi fighters who he said had encircled Taiz City to allow aid in immediately.
Civilian toll and food insecurity
Türk said 32 civilians have been confirmed killed across the governorate, including 14 children and nine women, and warned of a significant uptick in the risk of death and injury as fighting moves closer to densely populated areas.
The development follows the resumption last month of clashes between Houthi fighters, formally known as Ansar Allah, and the internationally recognized Government based in Aden, ending the relative calm brought about by the 2022 truce. The UN World Food Programme said wheat flour stocks in affected areas of Taiz are nearly exhausted.
Health emergency
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic reported that 12 hospitals in Taiz had approximately four days of fuel remaining, oxygen cylinders were in daily deficit, and 115 of 127 essential medicines had stocks for about one week or less. UNICEF said pre-positioned therapeutic food could not be distributed because all routes were closed.
How many people have fled the renewed fighting in Yemen?
More than 250,000 people have fled renewed fighting in Yemen, according to the UN. About half of those recently uprooted have sought shelter in Taiz and the wider governorate.
Sources & further reading
Help keep the record accurate. Send a correction.
