Houthi forces seize key supply corridor to Yemen's Taiz

The Houthis have secured control of a critical supply line serving Taiz, further tightening their grip on the strategically important city in western Yemen. The advance came after several days of heavy combat between the rebel group and forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognized government in and around the urban centre.

Taiz, located in Yemen's southwestern region, has endured years of fighting and humanitarian hardship since the broader conflict intensified in 2015. The loss of the supply corridor threatens to worsen conditions for an already beleaguered civilian population dependent on food, fuel and medical imports.

The Houthi movement, which controls much of northern Yemen including the capital Sanaa, has consistently sought to expand its territorial control and consolidate its position across the country. The capture of key infrastructure and supply routes forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen its negotiating position and extend its influence over Yemen's population centres.

The fighting underscores the fragile security situation across Yemen, where multiple armed factions compete for control amid a conflict that has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. International observers have warned that further territorial losses by government forces could destabilize the region further and complicate potential peace negotiations.