Mass rally in Taiz demands end to siege, praises Saudi support for Yemen

On Friday, Taiz residents gathered for a massive protest, urging the end of the Houthi-imposed siege and thanking Saudi Arabia for its support. The rally in Yemen's Taiz province denounced the ongoing siege and atrocities committed by the Iran-backed Houthi militia against civilians, demanding the opening of roads and an end to the humanitarian crisis.

Protesters displayed banners criticizing the crimes of siege, starvation, shelling, and sniper attacks, urging the international community to address the plight of over 1.5 million civilians in the province. Taiz has faced years of road closures and the recent shutdown of its last vital route, cutting off essential supplies and exacerbating the siege's effects.

The statement emphasized that these actions constitute collective punishment and demanded a strong response from the UN and the international community, particularly as civilian casualties, including women and children, continue to rise. The protesters condemned the ongoing siege and the prevention of civilians' freedom of movement and access to basic necessities, holding the Houthi militia accountable for the violations and their consequences.

They called on the UN, the Security Council, and various organizations to take tangible steps to pressure the lifting of the siege and the opening of all roads for civilians and aid, ensuring population protection. Participants also expressed gratitude for the leadership of President Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi and the government, hoping for continued support for the province's liberation and the full removal of the blockade.

The rally also denounced the targeting of civilian sites in Saudi Arabia and Houthi attempts to strike the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, affirming that Saudi Arabia serves as Yemen's strategic buffer and praising its ongoing support for the nation and its people. The statement concluded by reaffirming Taiz's enduring stance against the siege and its commitment to freedom, dignity, and security until the province and all of Yemen attain peace, freedom, and prosperity.