Yemeni army investigating reports of Houthi use of toxic gases in Taiz

By Sahin Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) – Yemen’s armed forces said Thursday that they were investigating reports that Houthi forces had used projectiles suspected of containing toxic substances in the southwestern province of Taiz, resulting in suspected cases of poisoning and suffocation among civilians and resistance fighters.

In a statement, the Defense Ministry said it was taking seriously field reports from the Taiz fronts concerning the alleged use of toxic materials.

The ministry called for an urgent investigation to determine the nature of the substances, document their effects and identify those responsible for supplying them.

The military said the reports came amid continued Houthi attacks on Taiz, including sniper fire, indiscriminate shelling of residential neighborhoods and the blockade of roads, preventing 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 a responsibility of the state and its military, adding that they would take necessary measures in accordance with their constitutional obligations and international humanitarian law.

The ministry also urged the United Nations and relevant international organizations to assume their responsibilities in addressing alleged Houthi violations and support an urgent investigation.

It called for international pressure to reopen roads and ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches civilians without obstruction.

The ministry warned that those responsible for attacks against civilians and 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 maintained positions around parts of Taiz since 2015, with restrictions on major access routes contributing to a prolonged humanitarian crisis.

Fighting has intensified in recent weeks as government-aligned forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition have carried out 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.

Şahin Demir