Yemeni City of Taiz Cuts Off as Fuel Prices Quadruple

The city of Taiz in Yemen lost its final land connections in early October, isolating approximately 1 million residents from vital supplies and pushing basic goods out of reach for many families. The blockage began on October 3 when forces loyal to the internationally recognised government closed the eastern al-Houban crossing. The following day, Houthi forces captured the town of al-Turbah, severing the main road to Aden.

The closure of these routes has triggered a sharp rise in the cost of living. According to price data collected by Al Jazeera, a 20-litre container of petrol now costs 120,000 Yemeni riyals, or $77, which is four times the price recorded a year earlier. Diesel, essential for water pumps and hospital generators, has nearly doubled in price to 90,000 riyals per 20 litres. A standard cooking gas cylinder, which previously cost 11,400 riyals, now requires 40,000 riyals.

Yousef Farhan, a 39-year-old father of four, lost his daily income of 4,000 to 5,000 riyals when a school where he sold cucumbers was shut down due to shelling. His family, which includes a sister and her child, now relies on firewood for cooking. Farhan noted that finding alternative work has been difficult because the siege has halted activity for many local employers. His household now eats only rice or beans, having abandoned the monthly gas cylinder purchase that sustained them previously.

Water availability has also deteriorated significantly. The United Nations reported that Taiz’s water production dropped by half following the road closures. Local authorities state that diesel shortages have disrupted pumping stations and blocked tankers from reaching the Al-Dhabab basin, a key source of drinking water. Consequently, the cost of water delivered by tanker has roughly tripled since the fighting began, according to UN officials.

The disruption extends to transportation and healthcare. Bus fares have increased by 150 percent, rising from 200 riyals to 500 riyals per ride. On October 22, the World Health Organization warned that 42 health facilities in the city are facing severe shortages of fuel, oxygen, and medicine. Fatima Khaled, a 55-year-old patient with kidney failure, now sleeps on the floor of the dialysis hall at Al-Jumhuri General Hospital because she cannot afford a room nearby. She described her situation as feeling imprisoned, citing the lack of housing and the expense of travel to the facility.

The siege has forced residents to live day to day. Sayyun Burhan, 40, said her family waits to see how each day passes, managing rent and food costs while her husband struggles to find work due to failing health. Her children are missing school and playtime because she fears for their safety outside. The UN warned on October 20 that the lack of security and closed roads were blocking vital supplies, a situation that continues to affect the third-largest city in the country.

Fuel stations in Taiz have remained closed since October 5. The combination of higher fuel costs and reduced water supply has created a cycle of rising expenses for essential items. Families are adjusting their budgets to prioritize food and basic utilities, often at the expense of other needs. The physical isolation of the city has made every journey for work or treatment more exhausting and costly for residents who must navigate mountain detours.