During rare visit to Taiz, Yemeni leader vows to break Houthi blockade of city

AL-MUKALLA: The chairperson of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, pledged on Tuesday to free the remaining Houthi-held sections of the southern city of Taiz, break the militia’s more than nine-year blockade of the city, and restore and improve public services.

It came as he made his first official visit to Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city, since taking up his position on the council in April 2022. Public dissatisfaction with his government has grown as a result of deteriorating services, a depreciated national currency, and the prolonged siege of the city, which has a population of more than 2 million.

The Houthi blockade began almost a decade ago, soon after militia forces failed to capture the city center, in the face of heavy resistance from government troops and allied resistance fighters. The Houthis instead took control of major gateways into the city, blocking people from leaving or entering and preventing humanitarian aid and other deliveries from passing through their checkpoints. As a result, residents and visitors are forced to negotiate difficult and treacherous routes to get into or out of the city.

Al-Alimi traveled to Taiz from the southern city of Aden, Yemen’s interim capital, in a lengthy convoy. From his vehicle he saluted the hundreds of people who had gathered to welcome him, including uniformed schoolchildren. Images and videos posted on social media depicted a loud, happy crowd waving the Yemeni flag, holding banners featuring Al-Alimi’s image and shouting slogans such as “With our soul, with our blood, we sacrifice for you, Yemen.”

Al-Amini’s vow to end the Houthi blockade of Taiz, liberate occupied areas from Houthi control, and restore or improve basic services such as power supplies came during a meeting with local government and military officials in the city.

During his visit, accompanied by two colleagues from the Presidential Council and other government officials, he also announced dozens of planned projects for the city, including construction of a 30 megawatt power plant. Another project, funded by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, will rehabilitate a medical and educational complex at Taiz University, including a medical school.

Col. Abdul Basit Al-Baher, a military officer in Taiz, told Arab News that Al-Amini’s convoy entered the city using the rugged and steep Heijat Al-Abed route that links Taiz with other parts of Yemen under government control. The road is being improved by another project funded by the Saudi development program.

“This is a dangerous route with a lengthy history of fatal vehicle accidents,” Al-Baher said. “This route has been the site of many many vehicle accidents involving government leaders, including the governor, and the public.”

Many of the Yemenis who welcomed Al-Alimi’s visit to Taiz urged him to take urgent action to end the Houthi blockade and improve conditions for residents of the city.

One public-sector worker, Wadea Hassan, told Arab News: “I would like him to prioritize the lifting of the siege of Taiz, ensure that salaries are paid on time, enhance the quality of services, particularly electricity and water, and devise a solution to the exorbitant prices.”