UN Envoy Urges Houthis to Halt Military Offensive in Yemen's Taiz

The United Nations special envoy for Yemen has called on Houthi forces to halt their military offensive in the city of Taiz, warning that the intensified fighting there poses "grave risks" to the civilian population.

The envoy's appeal comes amid reports of casualties, damage to infrastructure, and road closures linked to the escalation in and around Taiz, a city that has long been one of the most contested areas in Yemen's protracted conflict.

Civilians Caught in Renewed Fighting

Taiz has experienced recurring bouts of intense conflict throughout Yemen's war, with its strategic location and dense urban population making it especially vulnerable to the humanitarian toll of renewed offensives. Reports of road closures suggest that the fighting is also disrupting the movement of people and goods in and around the city, compounding difficulties for residents already affected by years of conflict.

UN officials have repeatedly urged all parties to the Yemen conflict to prioritize the protection of civilians, and the latest call from the special envoy reflects ongoing concern at the international body over the humanitarian consequences of continued fighting in densely populated areas.

It remains unclear whether the Houthis will respond to the UN's appeal by scaling back their offensive, as the group has previously continued military operations despite similar calls from international mediators in other phases of the conflict.