Drinking water supplies dwindle in Yemeni city besieged by Houthi rebels

Taiz, a city in southwestern Yemen, is facing a severe water crisis as Houthi rebels backed by Iran tighten their encirclement. The city has struggled with water issues for over a decade, but the situation has worsened in recent weeks.

The water crisis in Taiz is attributed to the ongoing conflict between the Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government, which has led to the destruction of water infrastructure and the disruption of water supplies. The rebels have been using water as a bargaining chip in their negotiations with the government, and have been accused of diverting water from the city's main water source.

The city's water crisis has been exacerbated by the fact that the main water source, the Taiz Dam, has been damaged in the fighting. The dam was built in the 1970s and has been a vital source of water for the city, but it has been severely damaged in recent months.

The damage to the dam has reduced the city's water supply by over 50%. The Yemeni government has been working to address the water crisis, but its efforts have been hindered by the ongoing conflict.

The government has been unable to repair the damaged dam and has been relying on alternative sources of water, such as wells and rainwater collection systems. However, these alternative sources are not enough to meet the city's water needs.

The international community has been called upon to help address the water crisis in Taiz. The United Nations has been working with the Yemeni government and humanitarian organizations to provide aid and support to the city.

However, the situation remains dire, and the city's water crisis continues to worsen. The water crisis in Taiz is a symptom of a larger problem in Yemen, which has been plagued by conflict and instability for over a decade.

The conflict has led to the destruction of infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems, and has left millions of Yemenis without access to basic necessities like clean water and sanitation.