Yemen Conflict Intensifies Near Taiz Amid Urgent UN Call for Humanitarian Access

Fighting has intensified in Yemen, with government-affiliated media reporting a significant increase in hostilities against the Houthis on multiple fronts south of Taiz, a key city in the southwestern province. Yemen Today TV reported on Thursday that clashes were occurring on the Al-Aqroudh and Al-Masrakh fronts, as well as in the village of Al-Rahn within the Sabir al-Mawadim district. Concurrently, Houthi-affiliated media reported four air strikes targeting the Red Sea city of Mocha and its port, located west of Taiz. Forces loyal to the Yemeni government in Taiz stated they had repelled attacks on Al-Aqroud, aiming to break the Houthi siege of the area. Majid al-Nazili, a spokesperson for the Yemeni government forces, informed Al Jazeera that their troops conducted 749 military operations in the past 24 hours, resulting in the casualties of 239 militants and the destruction of 117 vehicles and armoured vehicles.

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, reportedly advanced on Jabal Sabr on Sunday. This strategic mountain overlooks Taiz and has become a focal point in the conflict between the Iran-backed group and forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which receives backing from Saudi Arabia. In separate developments, flights have resumed at Aden international airport, according to the Anadolu news agency. Services had been suspended on Wednesday following reports from witnesses of a missile landing near the Al-Nasr Camp, which is adjacent to the airport and houses Yemeni coastguard forces and interior ministry headquarters.

A military source told Al Jazeera on Thursday that government forces executed three air strikes against Houthi military gatherings and vehicles southeast of Taiz, asserting that these strikes targeted the group's positions and movements on the Al-Aqroud front. This action comes as the Houthi group reported over 100 air strikes targeting the capital city Sanaa and eight other Yemeni governorates within the preceding 24 hours.

The escalating conflict across numerous fronts in Yemen has exacerbated an already severe humanitarian crisis. The United Nations’ humanitarian agency reported that the conflict has displaced over 281,000 people since the beginning of August. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) issued a warning that