Taiz:The Ministry of Health and Environment held a press conference at Taiz Central Hospital to address the severe psychological and health impacts of the Saudi blockade and aggression against the Yemeni people.
According to Yemen News Agency, the ministry criticized the UN and international community for complicity in the ongoing massacres by Saudi forces since the escalation began on September 3, 2026. These actions have included repeated attacks on infrastructure, civilian facilities, and public markets.
Ministry spokesperson Dr. Anis Al-Asbahi shared figures on the humanitarian consequences of the 12-year aggression and blockade, particularly their devastating impact on the health sector. He noted that attacks have severely damaged Yemen's healthcare infrastructure, leading to the spread of diseases and epidemics while depriving millions of basic healthcare.
Dr. Al-Asbahi reported that over 55 health-sector facilities have been targeted, more than 139 hospitals completely destroyed, and over 190 ambulances demolished, including a recent attack on Al-Dimnah Hospital. Restrictions on medical supplies and life-saving medicines have prevented over 400,000 patients from traveling abroad for treatment, exacerbated by the closure of Sana'a International Airport.
The blockade has resulted in severe shortages of more than 1,600 types of medicine, including over 12 cancer drugs. More than 40,000 thalassemia and blood-disorder patients face shortages of iron-chelation medicines, while over 8,000 kidney-failure patients lack necessary dialysis equipment and medicines. Over 250,000 patients require treatment abroad, with more than 125,000 cancer patients facing life-threatening medicine shortages.
The malnutrition crisis has worsened, with over 10 million cases of child malnutrition recorded between 2017 and 2024. More than 3.6 million children under five suffer from acute malnutrition, including over 1.8 million with severe malnutrition. Additionally, over 45 percent of children under five experience stunting.
During the same period, over six million women, including pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, were affected by acute or moderate malnutrition, with more than one million suffering from anemia. Over 17 million people face malnutrition and food insecurity.
The airport closure has also hindered the import of spare parts and equipment needed for hospital machinery maintenance. The blockade and aggression have contributed to medicine and medical-supply shortages, the spread of epidemics, and what is described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, affecting more than 24 million people who require humanitarian assistance.
Dr. Al-Asbahi emphasized the necessity of reopening Sana'a International Airport to help address the humanitarian crisis, as its impact extends beyond healthcare. He accused the international community of double standards and silence, which he claimed have encouraged further attacks and made the UN and its agencies appear complicit.
He cited a Saudi airstrike on a crowded market at Mawiyah Junction as evidence of deliberate civilian targeting. From September 3 to October 15, 2026, Saudi escalation resulted in 120 deaths and 307 injuries, with women and children comprising more than 60 percent of casualties. Taiz, Saada, and Al-Jawf are among the most affected governorates.
Dr. Al-Asbahi concluded by urging the international community and human rights organizations to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities, hold the Saudi government accountable, and work to lift the blockade on Yemen. He stated that the attacks are grave violations of international humanitarian law and called on Arab and Muslim countries to recognize the severity of the crimes against the Yemeni people.
