Taiz Residents Warn of Food and Fuel Strain as Fighting Closes Key Route

TAIZ, Yemen — Residents of Taiz are facing growing difficulties obtaining food, fuel and other basic goods as fighting intensifies around the city and access along a key supply route is disrupted.

Fighting has increased on the outskirts of Taiz in recent days, while movement into and out of the city has become increasingly difficult. The Houthis have seized areas along the main road linking Taiz with Aden, halting traffic on a route used to bring essential supplies into the city.

Taiz has endured years of road closures and isolation from surrounding areas. With the city dependent on a limited number of roads for food, fuel and other goods, residents are concerned that further restrictions could worsen access to necessities.

Residents face rising prices

Commercial activity in downtown markets has become limited. Some food shops have closed, while residents have gathered outside other shops to buy flour, rice, cooking oil and other staple items.

Essam Mohammed, a Taiz resident, described worsening conditions in the markets.

“The market is empty; we cannot afford to buy anything. Prices are rising, and we cannot secure our daily bread. The situation is getting worse by the day,” he said.

Residents are also dealing with shortages of fuel and gas. Vehicles have been seen queuing at a gas station that has ceased operations, while the gasoline shortage has reduced traffic across the city. Citizens and students are moving mainly on foot, with only occasional vehicles passing.

Residents fear that prolonged closures and deteriorating security could lead to shortages or revive the isolation the city experienced during years of war. The available information does not establish how long the restrictions will continue or the extent of any actual food shortage.

Authorities appeal against panic buying

Local authorities are seeking to limit panic buying and coordinate the distribution of supplies that remain available.

Abdulrahman Al-Qulai’ah, director general of the Ministry of Industry and Trade branch in Taiz Governorate, said developments over the past two days had created confusion, anxiety and panic among residents.

“Instead of panicking and buying in large quantities, purchase only what you need,” Al-Qulai’ah said, arguing that the approach would help organize the distribution of available stocks and prevent a major gap in consumption.

The appeal comes as residents continue to report difficulty securing daily necessities and coping with higher prices. Further disruption to the Taiz-Aden road could make the entry of food, fuel and other essential goods more difficult, although the duration of the road closures remains unclear.