Yemen’s former prime minister has warned that a Houthi takeover of Taiz could endanger Western security. In comments published by The Guardian on October 16, Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed linked the city’s defence to access to a key maritime strait.

Saeed, prime minister from 2018 to 2024 and now an adviser to Yemen’s president, appealed for more Western support. He said losing Taiz would threaten access to the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea and the route to Aden, the government’s seat.

Fighting cuts the road to Aden

Taiz has become a major front in the fighting between the Iran-backed Houthis and Yemeni government forces. The Guardian reported that a Houthi campaign to capture Yemen’s Red Sea coast began in September, following four years of relative calm.

Reuters reported that Houthi forces had cut the main road south from Taiz to Aden. They controlled sections near al-Turbah and Mudiriyat al-Misrakh, leaving the city encircled since early October.

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While Reuters described an existing encirclement, Saeed predicted a full siege within days, followed by an attempt to enter the city. He said the consequences would be worse than those of the siege that began in 2015.

Unnamed Yemeni sources reported airstrikes west of Taiz and continuing clashes on its southern and western outskirts, according to a Yemeni news website. They estimated that dozens had been killed or wounded over the previous 48 hours, mostly Houthis. Who carried out those strikes remains unknown.

Saeed points to military weaknesses

Saeed said poor coordination among government-backed forces and competition between Gulf states had contributed to the government’s difficulties. He also cited a slow response to the growing threat from long-range drones.

He said government forces had only light weapons and Saudi Arabia had not prepared early enough for the escalation. He called for better coordination among the National Shield Forces, National Resistance Forces and Giants Brigades, three government-backed formations.

Saeed said the Houthis intended to seize all of Yemen and help Iran expand instability. He also said their September offensive along the Red Sea coast was intended to ease pressure on Iran.

Displacement and shortages deepen

At least 121,000 people have been displaced across Taiz province during the latest fighting, according to the International Organization for Migration. Many fled rural areas outside the city.

Aid agencies have reported widespread shortages of fuel, food, medicines and clean water. The World Food Programme said wheat-flour stocks in Taiz city were nearly exhausted in mid-October.