Barran Press
Traffic resumed on the "Al-Kamb –Qasr roundabout " road in the besieged city of Taiz on Thursday, June 13th, 2024, after nine years of closure by the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by the international community.
According to a "Barran Press" correspondent, citizens began crossing the road in the afternoon following the completion of necessary preparations, including road repairs, by security and military authorities.
Abdul Karim Shiban, head of the Taiz Road Opening Negotiation Committee, announced the reopening of the road, stating it had been blocked for nine years by the Houthis, causing significant hardship for the city's residents.
"We are pleased to announce the reopening of the Al-Kamb – Qasr road, which was closed by the Houthi militia for nine years, causing suffering for the people of the governorate," Shiban said at a press conference.
He attributed the reopening to the "resilience of the people of Taiz, their sacrifices, as well as the sacrifices of the heroes of the army and the popular resistance during the siege, culminating in the breaking of this siege that was unjustly and aggressively imposed on the city."
Shiban expressed hope for the opening of other roads in the future, praising the role of the political leadership, represented by President Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, for his continued interest and follow-up on the opening of roads and the end of suffering.
He assured that security forces are prepared to facilitate the passage of citizens in and out of the city, noting that the committee is awaiting the Houthis' fulfillment of their promise to open the road and lift the siege.
"All roads are open from the government side," Shiban said, looking forward to the Houthi group opening the remaining roads, particularly the "Mufarq al-Dhikra, Line 60, Mufarq al-Adain, Asifra" road, and lifting the complete siege on the governorate.
On Saturday, June 8th, the legitimate authorities in Taiz began removing debris and obstacles and paving the "Al-Kamb" road east of the city, which has been under Houthi siege for nine consecutive years.
The local authority in Taiz stated that the road paving works are intended to "receive citizens coming from the Houthis-controlled area of Al-Huban if the Houthis complete their procedures for opening the eastern road," according to the official Yemeni news agency Saba.
This came a day after a similar announcement by the Houthis regarding the opening of the same road. At the time, activists shared videos and images on social media showing machinery and equipment removing earthen barriers in the Qasr roundabout area east of Taiz.