Taiz governorate sees mass protest and heightened security amid siege

A large crowd gathered in the al‑Waziah district of Taiz demanding the lifting of the siege imposed on the governorate and backing the decisions of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council headed by Rashad Al‑Alimi. Governor Nabiel Shamsan praised the local fighters, described the effort to restore state institutions and liberate Sanaa, and highlighted continued Saudi support.

At the same time, security authorities in Taiz announced a raise of security readiness to the highest level. Police chief Maj. Mansur Al‑Akhili ordered expanded patrols, intensified investigations and a halt to police leave. The Ministry of Interior, led by Ibrahim Haidan, affirmed that its units are fully prepared to maintain order, following Al‑Alimi’s recent speech on resuming oil exports and responding to Houthi escalation. Recent weeks have also seen clashes between government forces and Houthi militants, with coalition airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in Hodeida, Marib and Taiz.