Barran Press
The American Center for Justice (ACJ) reported on Saturday, August 3, 2024, that the Iran-backed Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, has caused the deaths of 3,021 civilians and injuries to 6,361 others, including women and children, in Taiz governorate. These casualties resulted from sniper fire, direct shelling of the city, and the planting of landmines between March 2015 and December 2023.
The center, in a report reviewed by "Barran Press," detailed that the group has also detained 477 individuals, subjected 79 others to enforced disappearance, and 59 to torture. The report highlighted that most of these individuals were arrested or kidnapped from alternative routes.
The report, titled "Taiz Siege: A Humanitarian Tragedy," outlined the most prominent violations faced by civilians over nine years and the catastrophic consequences for the population. The report highlighted the closure of major roads leading to the city from the east, west, and north, which has caused a surge in the prices of basic commodities by up to 400% due to the difficulty of transporting goods through alternative routes. This has also led to a significant increase in transportation costs.
The report documented the complete destruction of three health units, partial destruction of three hospitals, 22 health centers, and 20 health units. Additionally, 13 health centers and 32 health units have ceased operations due to the displacement of medical staff and the lack of fuel. The report also documented the deaths of three health sector employees, the obstruction of two, and the forced displacement of 252 individuals outside the city.
The report indicated that the first year of the complete siege on Taiz witnessed a lack of basic necessities such as water, food, medicine, and oxygen. It documented the deaths of 26 civilians due to the lack of oxygen in hospitals, including nine children and seven women.
The report stated that the number of traffic accidents on alternative routes during the period covered by the report reached 541, resulting in the deaths of 434 people and injuries to 1,026 others. Material losses exceeded two million dollars.
The report pointed out that the war and siege on the city have caused the displacement of 44,749 families, comprising 214,693 individuals, across 17 districts in the governorate. The report noted that the Houthi militias continue to obstruct the flow of water to Taiz, which previously relied on it for 75% of its water needs.
The report highlighted that 20,621 university and technical institute students have been affected by the siege and road closures, preventing them from continuing their education. The number of affected school students reached 32,000.