OMM Newsroom
Yemen’s armed forces are investigating reports that Houthi forces used projectiles suspected of containing toxic substances in the southwestern province of Taiz, according to Anadolu Agency.
The reports describe suspected cases of poisoning and suffocation among civilians and resistance fighters, the military said on Thursday.
In a statement, the Defense Ministry said it was taking field reports from Taiz fronts about the alleged use of toxic materials seriously. It called for an urgent investigation to establish what the substances were, document their effects and identify those responsible for supplying them.
Ministry cites attacks and restrictions on access
The military said the reports came amid continued Houthi attacks on Taiz, including sniper fire, indiscriminate shelling of residential neighborhoods and a blockade of roads that prevents access to water, food, medicine and other essential supplies.
It warned the Houthis against targeting civilians or using prohibited means of warfare.
The armed forces said protecting civilians and breaking the siege of Taiz remained the responsibility of the state and its military. They would take necessary measures in accordance with their constitutional obligations and international humanitarian law, the statement said.
Call for international action
The ministry urged the United Nations and relevant international organizations to address alleged Houthi violations and support an urgent investigation. It also called for international pressure to reopen roads and ensure humanitarian assistance reaches civilians without obstruction.
The ministry warned that those responsible for attacks against civilians, along with their commanders, would not escape accountability.
Taiz has been one of the main flashpoints in Yemen’s civil war, with government forces and Houthi fighters battling for control of the strategically located province for more than a decade.
The Houthi group has held positions around parts of Taiz since 2015. Restrictions on major access routes have contributed to a prolonged humanitarian crisis.
Fighting has intensified in recent weeks as government-aligned forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, have conducted military operations against Houthi positions in Taiz and other provinces.
The escalation comes amid renewed hostilities between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with both sides reporting attacks and military operations across Yemen and the wider region.
