Houthi siege of Taiz tightens as fuel prices triple

Houthi fighters have captured the al-Turbah area south of Taiz, cutting the last main road into the city of nearly 3 million people, and black-market petrol prices have tripled in less than a week.

Why it matters: Taiz is the largest Yemeni city under government control in the southwest, and a full siege there would deepen the country's worst humanitarian crisis just as the Saudi-led coalition escalates its air campaign.

Data as of Al Jazeera reporting October 10, 2026 (article opened and read in full). Single-sourced: territorial claims, price figures and the UN letter are Al Jazeera's reporting, pending independent corroboration.

The Houthis captured the town of al-Turbah by October 4, severing the only remaining main road between Taiz city and other government-held areas, and the vital eastern crossing reopened in 2024 has been closed again after attempted Houthi incursions, according to Al Jazeera. Local planning chief Nabil Jamil called the siege more comprehensive than the devastating 2015-2016 blockade, warning that 2.8 million people in government-held areas plus 200,000 newly displaced face deteriorating conditions.

On the black market, a 20-litre container of petrol rose from 30,000 to 90,000 Yemeni riyals in days, streets emptied as fuel ran out, and markets saw panic buying of wheat and flour. Taiz authorities have written to the United Nations asking for help opening civilian corridors for food, medicine and medical travel, and say they are still waiting for a response.

Houthi siege of Taiz tightens as fuel prices triple

Sources