Yemen’s Houthis tighten siege of key city — SkimNews
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- Houthi fighters tightened their siege of Taiz, killing more than 60 people in the 24 hours before October 12, 2026, according to military sources from both sides cited by AFP.
- The Houthis blocked all exits and launched overnight attacks, killing 22 pro-government soldiers while losing at least 40 of their own fighters and sending reinforcements, per rival military sources.
- The fighting continued in Taiz governorate despite Saudi airstrikes, with Houthi-aligned sources confirming operations were ongoing from their side.
- Yemen's Health Ministry warned on October 11 of a "humanitarian catastrophe" in Taiz, reporting that medicine, medical equipment, and fuel were "on the verge of running out."
- Taiz city sits inland from the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab strait — a critical maritime chokepoint — in territory the Houthis seized during a rapid offensive the previous month.
Why it matters: Taiz's proximity to the Bab al-Mandab strait, a vital Red Sea shipping lane, means the intensifying siege carries regional stakes beyond Yemen's borders. The Health Ministry's explicit warning of exhausted medical and fuel supplies signals a humanitarian tipping point within days, while the Houthis sustaining heavy losses without pulling back suggests the offensive is being treated as strategically non-negotiable despite Saudi airstrikes.
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