The chairperson of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, pledged on Tuesday to free the remaining Houthi rebels-held sections of the southern city of Taiz, and restore and improve public services in the city.
It came as he made his first visit to Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city, since taking up his position on the council in April 2022.
Public dissatisfaction with his government has grown as a result of deteriorating services, a depreciated national currency, and the prolonged siege of the city, which has a population of more than 2 million.
The Houthi blockade of the city began almost a decade ago, soon after rebels forces failed to control the city center, in the face of heavy resistance from government troops and allied resistance fighters.
The Houthis instead took control of major gateways into the city, blocking people from passing through their checkpoints. As a result, residents and visitors are forced to negotiate difficult and treacherous routes to get into or out of the city.
Al-Alimi traveled to Taiz from the southern city of Aden, Yemen’s interim capital, in a lengthy convoy. From his vehicle he saluted the hundreds of people who had gathered to welcome him, including uniformed schoolchildren.
During a meeting with local government and military officials in the city, Al-Amini’s vow to end the Houthi blockade of Taiz, restore or improve basic services such as power supplies.
Col. Abdul Basit Al-Baher, a military officer in Taiz, told Arab News that Al-Amini’s convoy entered the city using the rugged and steep Heijat Al-Abed route that links Taiz with other parts of Yemen under government control. The road is being improved by another project funded by the Saudi development program.
“This is a dangerous route with a lengthy history of fatal vehicle accidents,” Al-Baher said. “This route has been the site of many accidents involving government officials and general the public.”
Many of the Yemenis who welcomed Al-Alimi’s visit to Taiz urged him to take urgent action to end the Houthi siege and improve conditions for residents of the city.
One public-sector worker, Wadea Hassan, told Arab News: “I would like him to prioritize the lifting of the siege of Taiz, ensure that salaries are paid on time, enhance the quality of services, particularly electricity and water, and devise a solution to the exorbitant prices.”