A protest by the Yemeni community in Turkey demands an end to the Taiz blockade and the designation of Houthi militias as a terrorist group.

Yemeni Community in Turkey Demands Action Against Houthi Blockade on Taiz

A protest organized by the Yemeni community in Turkey took place today, urging the United Nations and the international community to take immediate action to end the blockade imposed by Houthi militias on the city of Taiz. The demonstrators called for the assurance of freedom of movement and the delivery of humanitarian, medical, and food aid, as well as an end to attacks on residential areas and the classification of the militias as a terrorist group.

Call for International Intervention

Participants issued a statement following the protest in front of the United Nations office in Istanbul. They urged the United Nations, the Security Council, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to implement practical measures to lift the blockade. They also called for pressure to open main and secondary roads, investigate violations, and hold those responsible accountable.

Civilian Suffering in Taiz

The statement highlighted the shelling of residential neighborhoods in Taiz and its outskirts over the past years, which resulted in civilian casualties and damage to homes and property. It also addressed the suffering caused by road closures and restrictions on the movement of residents, particularly affecting patients, the injured, women, children, and the elderly.

Tragic Incidents Reflecting Civilian Risks

The statement referenced the tragic deaths of teacher Moshira Al-Nakib and her father, who were killed by a Houthi shell that targeted their home in the Al-Nidani village of the Jabal Saber district in Taiz. This incident underscores the dangers civilians face due to ongoing shelling.

Widespread Violations Beyond Taiz

The statement noted that violations attributed to Houthi militias extend beyond Taiz, affecting various regions in Yemen. These include attacks on Aden and Mukalla airports, targeting public facilities, and shelling civilian areas in Shabwa and residential neighborhoods in Marib, which hosts over one million displaced individuals.

Threats to Regional Security

The statement warned of the implications of Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and its economic facilities, as well as targeting ships in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Such actions pose a significant threat to regional security and the safety of international navigation.

Demand for Independent Investigations

Participants called for independent investigations into the violations attributed to the Houthis, including child recruitment and the use of civilians as human shields and hostages in areas under their control. They emphasized the need to preserve evidence, provide justice for victims, and offer reparations.

Appeal to Turkish Authorities

The statement urged the Turkish government, parliament, and human rights and humanitarian organizations to support the Yemeni people’s demands for restoring the state and ending the threat posed by Houthi militias to Yemen and the region. They called for intensified diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to lift the blockade, stop attacks on civilians, and ensure aid reaches those in need.

Ongoing Advocacy for Yemen

This protest is part of ongoing efforts by the Yemeni community abroad to convey the demands and suffering of Yemenis to international institutions. It aims to shed light on the humanitarian situation in Taiz and calls for practical steps to end the blockade and protect civilians.

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