UN accuses Houthis of blocking supply routes to Yemen’s Taez city

Months of fighting has left some 200,000 civilians in Taez city in a virtual state of siege, he UN said

A member of the Houthi militia mans a heavy calibre machine gun at a checkpoint in Sanaa. The UN on Tuesday accused the rebels of blocking the delivery of humanitarian supplies to civilians in Taez. Yahya Arhab/EPAShow less

Houthi rebels in Yemen have been obstructing the delivery of humanitarian supplies to civilians in Taez, said a senior United Nations official.

Months of fighting has left some 200,000 civilians in Taez city in a virtual state of siege, and in need of drinking water, medical treatments and other life-saving assistance and protection, said the UN under-secretary for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator Stephen O’Brien.

Supporters of president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, backed by the Saudi-led coalition forces, have been trying to capture the provincial city – located some 205 kilometres south of the capital Sanaa – from the Iranian-backed Houthi fighters for months in clashes that have killed hundreds and displaced many more.

“Al Houthi and popular committees are blocking supply routes and continue to obstruct the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid and supplies into Taez city,” Mr O’Brien saidon Tuesday.

“Despite repeated attempts by UN agencies and our humanitarian partners to negotiate access and reach people, our trucks have remained stuck at checkpoints and only very limited assistance has been allowed in,” he added.

At least 5,700 people have been killed in the conflict, which began after the Houthi rebels advanced on the southern port city of Aden in March and forced Mr Hadi into exile, drawing in an Arab coalition.

The Saudi-led coalition has made some gains against the Houthis, but the advance has been slow.

On Wednesday, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed met his Yemeni counterpart Riyadh Yassin in Abu Dhabi.

The leaders discussed the latest developments in Yemen and the worsening humanitarian crisis there due to the violence and aggression of the Houthis and militias loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Dr Yassin also expressed his appreciation for the UAE’s significant role in supporting Yemen within the Saudi-led coalition.

Mr Hadi, who is now in the southern port city of Aden, toured the frontline on Tuesday and visited the Al Anad base in Lahj province, where Yemeni government forces and Arab allies are stationed.

Mr O’Brien said hospitals which are still functioning in Taez, one of the biggest cities in Yemen, were overwhelmed with wounded patients and faced severe shortages of doctors and nurses, essential medicines and fuel. He cited reports that aid supplies destined for the city had been diverted away from the people it was intended for.

“This is unacceptable. I call on all parties to work with the United Nations and other neutral and impartial organisations to urgently facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance and protection to civilians and the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian workers to Taez city, without further delay,” he said.

UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed has been hold talks for weeks with all sides to try to launch peace talks, but no date has been set for the negotiations.

* Reuters, with additional reporting from Wam and Agence France-Presse