The Yemeni city of Taiz is facing a "deadly siege" by the Houthis, with the United Nations warning that the tightening blockade threatens millions of civilians and cuts off essential humanitarian supplies. The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, stated on Tuesday that the armed group, also known as Ansar Allah, must immediately allow relief to enter the city.

The Houthis have encircled Taiz by capturing a major road linking it to the southern city of Aden, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. Prices for basic goods have multiplied amid widespread shortages. Continued fighting in the Taiz governorate has resulted in the deaths of at least 32 civilians, including 14 children, between August 1 and October 19, with fears of further casualties as conflict approaches the city.

Turk urged all parties to the conflict to avoid using explosive weapons in populated areas and to protect civilians. He specifically called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Taiz and for civilians wishing to leave to be permitted safe passage. The Yemeni government has appealed to the UN to intervene and lift the blockade, estimating that over 4 million people are at risk.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that shifting front lines and road closures have severed access to life-saving assistance for 800,000 people, predominantly in Taiz. The WFP estimates that nationwide, over 18 million Yemenis are experiencing severe food insecurity.

Meanwhile, in the Shabwah governorate, local authorities on Tuesday raised the death toll from a Houthi ballistic missile attack on the al-Alam military base to 73. Monday's strikes were condemned by the Yemeni government as a "brutal" act.

Forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognized government have been engaged in offensives across multiple front lines. On Monday, they launched air strikes in Taiz governorate, reportedly destroying Houthi reinforcements and a weapons depot.

Taiz has been subjected to repeated sieges throughout the ongoing conflict, but the current blockade on the vital supply route to Aden poses a significant threat to its inhabitants. The humanitarian consequences of such blockades are well-documented, with essential services and supplies severely impacted.

Experts have repeatedly warned that the prolonged conflict and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Yemen are among the world's worst. The disruption of aid routes and the targeting of civilian infrastructure underscore the immense suffering faced by the Yemeni population.