Killed in Overnight Fight in Yemen’s Taiz

The Houthi militia in Yemen have blown up several bridges in the mountainous southwestern Taiz province to hamper the advance of pro-government forces, military sources said on Tuesday.

More than 5,700 people have been killed in the fighting while 82 percent of the population – 21 million people – are in urgent need of aid. The split of casualties between the two combatant sides is unclear, and has tended to be subject to dispute between the two factions. Breaking the siege of the government-held provincial capital of the same name is seen as crucial for the recapture of other central provinces and for opening the way to the rebel-controlled capital Sanaa. The overnight raids suggest momentum may once again by shifting, and the war seems as stalemated as ever.

“Despite repeated attempts by United Nations 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”.

Yemen’s defenseless people have been under massive attacks by a coalition led by the Saudi regime for months.

It is also important for securing the south, where loyalists backed by the Saudi-led coalition have retaken five provinces since July, including Aden, seat of the provisional government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, who recently returned to the country.

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

According to a report by Yemen’s al-Masirah TV on Thursday, the fishermen lost their lives after Saudi jets bombarded their boats off the Coast of Zaqar Island and near Hanish Island in al-Hudaydah province.

O’Brien said it was “unacceptable” that some of the aid destined for the city’s needy was being diverted away from those people.

Mr O’Brien noted that Al-Houthi and popular committees are blocking supply routes and continue to obstruct delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid and supplies into the city, while those hospitals that are still functioning are overwhelmed with wounded patients and face severe shortages of doctors and nurses, essential medicines and fuel.