On Sunday, Houthi forces reportedly gained control of the al-Safiya area in Yemen, a move that has successfully cut off a vital supply route connecting the city of Taiz to Aden, the interim capital currently held by the Saudi-backed government. The report, which originated from the AFP news agency, cites multiple security and military sources on the ground.

According to a local police source, Houthi fighters seized a police station in the al-Safiya area before blocking the main road. Three separate sources within the Yemeni military have corroborated these reports, stating that the action has effectively placed Taiz under encirclement. The road in question has long served as a critical artery for supplies and movement between the two cities. As of now, there has been no official statement from Houthi leadership regarding the tactical objectives of this maneuver, nor have there been reports of immediate counter-offensives from the Saudi-backed government forces to reclaim the route. The situation remains fluid, with the blockade raising concerns about the potential impact on the flow of essential goods into the besieged city.