Taiz is still under siege

Yemenis in Taiz held a protest near the closed eastern crossing, to demand an end to the Houthi siege imposed on the city for nearly 7 years.

The protesters called on the United Nations and the Security Council to open the crossings and roads leading to the city.

They also used social media to call for the opening of Taiz crossings, after the opening of Sanaa International Airport as part of the truce that entered into force last April.

Experts believe the Iran-backed Houthis are not serious about ending their almost eight-year siege of Yemen’s city of Taiz and the suffering of thousands of its residents.

A UN-brokered truce proposed over a month ago called for the cessation of hostilities on all fronts, opening roads in cities, including Taiz, reopening Sanaa airport for a limited number of flights and allowing fuel ships to enter Hodeidah seaport.

The Houthis have laid a siege on Taiz, Yemen’s most populous city, since early 2015 after failing to advance into the city’s downtown after facing stiff resistance from army troops and allied resistance fighters.

The Houthis closed the city’s main entrances with sand dunes, planted landmines and deployed snipers in the surrounding areas. Residents were forced into using dangerous mountain roads when they wanted to leave or enter the city.

Thousands of civilians have been killed during the siege or through Houthi shelling and landmines. Analysts believe that the Houthis are using the siege as a bargaining chip in any talks with the government, which could be used to demand financial assistance.

The UN envoy met last month with the government delegation to prepare for meetings on reopening roads in Taiz and other provinces.

The Houthis have yet to name their delegation to the road-reopening meeting, raising concerns about their commitment to lifting the blockade.