The Yemen war has intensified around the south-western city of Taiz after Houthi fighters seized the strategic Red Sea port of Mokha and advanced into areas near government-held positions. The renewed fighting has forced more than 130,000 people from their homes across Yemen this month, adding to the millions already displaced by the country’s long-running conflict.
The fighting is particularly intense in the mountains south-west of Taiz, where Saudi-backed pro-government forces are trying to prevent further Houthi advances. The front line is difficult to define, with homes abandoned on the slopes and artillery, mortar fire and gunfire regularly heard across the area.
Yemen War Fighting Intensifies Around Taiz
Government forces control the centre of Taiz, while Houthi positions are located to the north and east. The latest fighting has concentrated on the western approaches, where both sides are contesting high ground that overlooks the route towards the south.
Taiz is Yemen’s third-largest city and its cultural capital, with close to one million residents. Its location between Houthi-controlled territory in the north and government-held areas in the south makes it a strategically important battlefield.
The situation became more serious after Houthi fighters seized Mokha, about 85km west of Taiz, on 10 September. The capture followed the collapse of a ceasefire that had largely held for four years and gave the Houthis control over territory overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a major shipping route linking Europe and Asia.
Houthi Offensive Puts Civilians at Risk
The Houthi advance has brought the conflict closer to communities living around Taiz. Residents have described homes being abandoned as families leave areas exposed to shelling and gunfire.
Ali, who lives about 1km from the front line, said two mortars had landed on his property. He sent his children to a displacement camp but remained with his wife and sisters to care for their goats.
“I am terrified,” he said, explaining that leaving the animals behind would mean his family could lose its source of food and income.
Government fighters have also described the intensity of the clashes. One soldier said the bodies of 18 government troops were lying in an area that his unit could fire towards but could not reach.
“We shoot over them, but we can’t pull them out,” he said.
The Houthis have also increasingly used drones during their latest offensive. Saudi Arabia and Western countries accuse Iran of providing the group with weapons, funding and military advice, while Iran has denied supplying weapons and says it only supports the Houthis politically.
Yemen Displacement Reaches 130,000
The humanitarian consequences of the Yemen war are becoming increasingly severe. The UN said more than 130,000 people had been displaced across Yemen during September, in addition to the 5.2 million people already displaced by the civil war.
At the al-Monig displacement camp, around 20km south of Taiz, families who fled Mokha and nearby villages have been arriving in large numbers. Camp workers said about 200 families had reached the site during the previous 10 days.
One displaced woman, identified as Maryam Saleh, said she fled Mokha with her husband and five children. She described walking barefoot while carrying nothing except her children after fighting reached their area.
“We thought we were finished,” she said, describing clashes and sniper fire during the family’s escape.
Another displaced woman, Fatma Mohammed Saleh, said she crawled for two days after being separated from her family during the fighting. Unable to walk because of a disability, she eventually received help from a man on a motorcycle who took her to the camp.
Taiz Battle Deepens Yemen Humanitarian Crisis
Hospitals in Taiz are also dealing with casualties from the front lines. At al-Thawra hospital, beds in the intensive care unit were occupied by both fighters and civilians.
Among the injured was 12-year-old Ghana Nabeel, who was herding goats when shrapnel struck her head. A doctor told the BBC that her brain had been damaged and said she would not be the same again.
The renewed fighting has also raised concerns beyond Taiz because of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The waterway is a crucial shipping corridor, and the Houthi territorial gains have contributed to fears of wider disruption to regional trade and energy supplies.
With fighting continuing around Taiz and the western coast, humanitarian agencies are preparing for further displacement. The UN has warned that another 100,000 people could be forced from their homes over the following three months if the violence continues.