Auar Foundation for Justice and Development Releases a Human Rights and Humanitarian Briefing on Escalating Violations and the Worsening Humanitarian Crisis in Taiz

Auar Foundation calls for urgent international action to protect civilians, lift restrictions on water and essential supplies, secure healthcare services, and investigate reported violations

Taiz – Sunday, 18 October 2026

Auar Foundation for Justice and Development today, Sunday, released a human rights and humanitarian briefing on the military escalation and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Taiz Governorate, covering the period from 6 to 17 October 2026. The briefing highlights the growing risks to civilian lives, restrictions on population movement and access to essential supplies, and the impact of the escalation on healthcare services, humanitarian needs, and residents’ rights

The briefing draws on field incidents monitored by the Foundation and information it has verified, alongside published data and reports issued by United Nations and international organizations, research centers, and local entities. It documents shelling incidents affecting homes and populated areas, civilian deaths and injuries, landmine hazards, and restrictions obstructing the delivery of drinking water, food supplies, and medical supplies to Taiz city

Military Escalation and Growing Risks to Civilians

The briefing reports multiple incidents during the period under review, including the targeting of a civilian home in Al-Sarm village in Al-Misrakh District; the death of a child following a landmine explosion in Jabal Habashi District; the killing of three women in Wadi Usus in Al-Shamayatayn District; and injuries to two women and three children following shelling that targeted a home in the Bir Basha neighborhood in western Taiz city

The briefing also addresses reports of civilian deaths and injuries in the areas of Al-Shaqab, Al-Anin, Kahlan, and Aqaqah, alongside reports of intense shelling targeting villages in Jabal Saber and other areas of the governorate

The Foundation emphasizes that the continuation of these incidents increases the risks faced by residents, particularly women, children, and persons with disabilities. It calls for stronger civilian protection measures, expanded independent monitoring and documentation, and investigations into reported incidents to establish responsibility on the basis of verifiable evidence

Restrictions on Water and Essential Supplies and Rising Living Costs

The briefing highlights restrictions on the movement of civilians and essential supplies. It cites field information that the Foundation says it verified concerning the prevention of drinking-water tankers from reaching Taiz city via the Al-Dhabab road on 17 October. This coincided with the obstruction of passenger movement at the Al-Hangar–Al-Dhabab checkpoint for several hours, before passage was permitted late in the evening

The Foundation warns that continued restrictions threaten residents’ access to safe water, food, fuel, and medicines, increase pressure on affected and displaced families, and further exacerbate the challenges facing healthcare facilities and essential services

In this context, the briefing cites data from October 2026 indicating that approximately 1.5 million people have been affected by supply disruptions, alongside increases in the prices of petrol, domestic gas, and drinking water. It also refers to estimates indicating that wheat and flour stocks in areas under the control of the internationally recognized Yemeni government are equivalent to approximately 19 days of consumption

Warnings of Deteriorating Healthcare Services

Regarding healthcare, the briefing highlights a warning issued on 13 October by Dr. Ahmed Al-Dumaini, a member of the medical staff at Al-Thawra General Hospital in Taiz city, concerning the imminent depletion of dialysis supplies. This shortage poses a direct threat to patients who depend on regular, life-sustaining dialysis sessions

The briefing also reviews data released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on 16 October 2026, which indicated that approximately 147,600 women and girls of reproductive age in Taiz city face increased risks. Only five of the 27 designated facilities providing emergency obstetric and newborn care services were partially operational, while more than 13,100 pregnant women were facing difficulties accessing maternal healthcare services

The briefing further cites data released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on 14 October, estimating the cumulative number of people displaced in connection with the escalation in western Yemen since June 2026 at approximately 228,739, including 121,104 people in Taiz Governorate, according to the scope of the data presented in the update

The Foundation considers that the combination of military escalation, disrupted supply routes, displacement, and shortages of medical supplies threatens to intensify humanitarian needs and further restrict access to essential healthcare for patients, pregnant women, and the wounded

Call for Urgent International Action and Accountability

In light of these developments, Auar Foundation for Justice and Development has called on the United Nations, the UN Security Council, the European Union, the League of Arab States, and the Office of the Special Envoy for Yemen, together with UN bodies and agencies and international and local humanitarian and human rights organizations, to take urgent measures to protect civilians in Taiz Governorate and ensure respect for international humanitarian law

The Foundation has called for measures to secure unimpeded access to drinking water, food, fuel, medicines, and medical supplies; facilitate the safe movement of travelers, patients, and ambulances; and provide emergency supplies to healthcare facilities, particularly dialysis supplies and treatments for chronic diseases

It has also called for intensified surveys and awareness-raising regarding the dangers of landmines and improvised explosive devices, identification of contaminated areas, and the securing of roads and routes used by civilians. In addition, it has urged the expansion of humanitarian assistance for displaced and affected families, with particular attention to women, children, persons with disabilities, older people, and patients

The Foundation stressed the importance of preserving evidence relating to shelling incidents, landmines, and reported violations; protecting victims and witnesses; conducting effective and independent investigations; and referring incidents that meet the applicable criteria to the relevant accountability mechanisms, in accordance with international law and the mandates of the relevant bodies

Protecting Civilians Is an Urgent Priority

Concluding its briefing, Auar Foundation for Justice and Development affirmed that developments recorded between 6 and 17 October reflect a simultaneous deterioration in civilian protection, access to water and essential supplies, and healthcare in Taiz Governorate

The Foundation called on the international community, donors, and humanitarian and human rights organizations to move beyond merely monitoring developments and take swift, practical measures to protect residents, maintain life-saving services, ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance and civilian supplies, and strengthen accountability for violations established by evidence

It emphasized that ensuring the safety of civilians in Taiz requires coordinated humanitarian and human rights action, the removal of obstacles that threaten their lives and dignity, and measures to prevent roads, water sources, and healthcare facilities from becoming additional factors exacerbating the humanitarian crisis

Issued by: Auar Foundation for Justice and Development
Date: Sunday, 18 October 2026
Governorate: Taiz – Republic of Yemen

For further details, data, and recommendations contained in the briefing, please refer to the full version issued by the Foundation via the link below

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zmGemCmGmBR3bA92K9AXMQrYmtdqBNMS/view?usp=drivesdk