Saudi airstrike kills 13 in Taiz as Houthi siege pushes Yemeni city into famine

A Saudi airstrike in western Taiz kills at least 13 people as a Houthi siege encircles the Yemeni city, cutting off food, water, and fuel for over 800,000 residents. Local officials report that Taiz has entered a famine, while Houthi leaders deny the blockades. Concurrently, Houthi ground offensives rage in Lahj governorate, and Saudi forces intercept Houthi ballistic missiles over Riyadh amid escalating regional diplomacy.

Saudi airstrikes on civilian areas

• ▪The Houthi-run health ministry in Yemen reported that Saudi airstrikes on residential areas in western Taiz killed at least 12 to 13 people and critically injured three on October 29, 2026.
• ▪The Houthi-run health ministry reported that Saudi-led airstrikes on a market in al-Hazm killed 14 people and wounded 15 others on October 28, 2026.

Houthi siege of Taiz

• ▪Taiz Governor Nabil Shamsan stated on October 29, 2026 that Houthi blockades cut off water supplies and cooking gas, pushing the city into famine.
• ▪Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi denied the siege on October 29, 2026, claiming that routes for food and humanitarian aid into Taiz remained open.
• ▪Houthi forces encircled the city of Taiz on four sides in October 2026 after seizing key access routes, including the main road connecting Taiz to Aden.
• ▪Human Rights Watch reported on October 29, 2026 that the Houthi siege of Taiz could constitute a war crime for using starvation as a method of warfare.

Severe humanitarian crisis in Taiz

• ▪Shortages of fuel, medical supplies, and oxygen caused the suspension of 120 health centers across Taiz governorate by late October 2026.
• ▪Fuel station closures in Taiz on October 5, 2026 caused petrol prices to quadruple to 120,000 Yemeni riyals for 20 liters by late October 2026.
• ▪Over 800,000 residents in Taiz face severe water shortages as daily deliveries fell from 35,000 to 1,000 cubic meters due to Houthi road blockades by October 30, 2026.
• ▪The World Food Programme reported in late October 2026 that it could not reach over 600,000 people in Taiz due to nearly exhausted wheat flour supplies.

Military clashes in Al-Maqatirah district

• ▪Houthi militias launched a ground attack on government positions in the Al-Maqatirah district of Lahj governorate on October 30, 2026 to gain control of Mount An'an.
• ▪Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted airstrikes on Houthi positions in the Al-Maqatirah district on October 30, 2026 to counter a ground offensive by Houthi militias.
• ▪Battles between Houthi militias and Yemeni government forces in the Al-Maqatirah district on October 30, 2026 resulted in dozens of killed and wounded combatants.

Houthi actions regarding Aden airport

• ▪Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed on October 28, 2026 that a Saudi military cargo plane carrying weapons was present at Aden airport.
• ▪Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree issued an evacuation warning for Aden airport on October 28, 2026, resulting in deserted terminals and flight diversions.

Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia

• ▪Houthi missile attacks on Riyadh airport forced its closure for two weeks in 2026, causing the cancellation of major events in Saudi Arabia.
• ▪The Saudi-led coalition intercepted two Houthi ballistic missiles over Riyadh and a Houthi drone in the Makkah region on October 29 and October 30, 2026.

Iranian statements on regional security

• ▪Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that officials from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey held talks in Tehran on October 26, 2026 regarding regional security.
• ▪Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on social media on October 28, 2026 that regional countries should maintain their security without extraregional military presence.

Tribal Code of Honour for civilian Protection

• ▪Approximately 5,000 tribal leaders from both government and Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen signed the Yemeni Tribal Code of Honour for the Protection of Civilians.
• ▪Approximately 100 Yemeni tribal leaders presented the Yemeni Tribal Code of Honour for the Protection of Civilians at the United Nations in Geneva on October 29, 2026.