In a recent development, the United States Embassy in Yemen has refuted allegations by Houthi rebels that a Saudi-led blockade is restricting access to the country. Khaled Wolfsberg, spokesperson for the US Embassy, released an Arabic-language video on Tuesday, stating that goods are still being delivered to regions under Houthi control, contrary to the group's claims. The Houthis, an armed group also known as Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), seized Sanaa in September 2014 and have since taken control of large parts of western and northern Yemen. The video presented operational data showing that 272 commercial ships successfully unloaded their cargo at Houthi-controlled ports between January and September 2026, a figure corroborated by the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen. However, the UN has warned that recent fighting, particularly in Taiz, a city under government control but surrounded by Houthis, has worsened the humanitarian situation. Wolfsberg accused the Houthis of blocking food and fuel from reaching hospitals and water stations in Taiz, describing the conditions faced by its residents as a genuine siege.
The US Embassy in Yemen has issued a statement disputing Houthi allegations that Saudi Arabia and its allies have enacted a full-scale siege of Yemen's Red Sea ports, preventing aid from reaching civilians. Khaled Wolfsberg, the embassy spokesperson, released an Arabic-language video on Tuesday, citing operational figures showing that 272 commercial ships successfully unloaded their cargo at Houthi-controlled ports between January and September 2026. This data contradicts the Houthis' claims of a blockade, with the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen regularly clearing vessels to sail to these ports during this period. However, the UN has expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Taiz, a city under government control but encircled by Houthis, where food and essential supplies are allegedly being prevented from reaching citizens.
In a video released on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Yemen's spokesperson, Khaled Wolfsberg, accused Houthi rebels of blocking food and fuel from reaching hospitals and water stations in Taiz. The city, under government control but fully surrounded by Houthis, is reportedly experiencing a genuine siege, according to Wolfsberg. This allegation comes as the US Embassy refutes Houthi claims that a Saudi-led blockade is restricting access to Yemen, with goods still flowing into areas of Yemen under Houthi control. The UN has warned that recent fighting in Taiz has worsened the humanitarian situation in the city.