- Participants in Brussels demand an end to the siege of Taiz by Houthi militias.
- The protest emphasized the need for safe access to humanitarian aid and healthcare.
- Activists called for European Union accountability for violations against Yemeni civilians.
- Ongoing Houthi attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and destruction in Taiz.
Protest in Brussels Calls for End to Taiz Siege
Participants in a protest outside the European Parliament in Brussels urged the European Union to exert effective pressure on the Iranian-backed Houthi militias. They demanded an end to the siege of Taiz, the permanent and safe opening of main roads, and the assurance of civilian movement and access to goods and humanitarian aid. Additionally, they called for the unimpeded transport of patients and the injured to healthcare facilities.
Statement from Yemeni Community
The protest, organized by the Yemeni community in Brussels and supported by several academics, human rights advocates, and journalists from the Netherlands and Belgium, carried the slogan “Lift the Siege on Taiz… Stop the Houthi Threat.” Participants emphasized the need for effective measures to protect civilians and ensure accountability for violations in accordance with international law.
The statement addressed to the heads and members of European Union institutions, including the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the European External Action Service, highlighted the importance of safeguarding affected individuals and providing their basic needs, such as shelter, food, water, and healthcare. It also supported efforts to create suitable conditions for the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons to their homes.
Addressing Regional Security Threats
The statement underscored the necessity of implementing effective measures to mitigate threats to Yemen’s security, regional stability, and international navigation. It called for a unified European stance and actions regarding the violations committed against Yemenis by the Houthi militias. The participants urged the enhancement of efforts supporting human rights, the rule of law, and the institutions of the Yemeni state.
Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen
The participants stated, “We, the protesters outside the European Parliament in Brussels, present this statement to highlight a part of the humanitarian tragedy faced by Yemenis due to the ongoing siege on Taiz and the escalating Houthi attacks targeting civilians in several provinces. These practices pose a threat to human rights and regional security and stability.”
They added, “The tragedy of Yemen cannot be reduced to numbers and reports; it manifests in children killed under bombardment, mothers who have lost their children, families forced to flee their homes, and civilians deprived of their basic rights to security, movement, and a dignified life.”
Ongoing Attacks and Displacement
The statement noted that the siege is not the only source of suffering for the city’s residents. Residential neighborhoods in Taiz have faced rocket and artillery shelling, with reports of ballistic missiles used in some attacks, resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children, and causing damage to homes and property.
Participants recounted a painful humanitarian incident where a mother in Taiz had to carry her daughter’s body, killed in a Houthi bombardment, on her shoulders due to the lack of transportation amid the siege conditions.
They pointed out that Houthi attacks have extended to other Yemeni provinces, including Aden, Shabwa, Marib, Lahij, and Mukalla. These areas have witnessed rocket and drone attacks, resulting in casualties and damage to facilities and property, incidents that warrant investigation and accountability.
Recent Displacement Trends
The participants discussed the widespread displacement coinciding with the recent military escalation by the Houthi militias. Reports attributed to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs indicate that over 250,000 people have been displaced since early August 2026, including tens of thousands from Taiz.
The statement highlighted that violations extend beyond military actions, encompassing intellectual and economic restrictions on citizens in Houthi-controlled areas. Citizens face salary deprivation, restrictions on religious freedoms, and limitations on their right to express opinions, alongside the imprisonment of dissenters and the forced involvement of citizens in conflicts unrelated to them.
Threats to International Navigation
The participants affirmed that the repercussions of the Houthi threat are no longer confined to Yemen’s interior but have extended to the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. International navigation and commercial vessels have faced attacks and threats that jeopardize the security of global trade routes and regional stability.
Call for International Action
The participants stressed that these incidents place the international community, particularly the European Union, in a political and humanitarian responsibility that requires moving from expressing concern to taking concrete actions to protect civilians, end the siege, and support accountability for violations.
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