UN Yemen envoy Hans Grundberg on Oct. 1 urged Houthi forces to halt an offensive
in southwest Taiz province, saying fighting has significantly intensified and
poses serious risks to civilians. He reported receiving disturbing accounts of
casualties, infrastructure damage and road closures that are restricting
civilian evacuations, and said he is in close contact with both the Yemeni
government and Houthi authorities to seek emergency measures to restore civilian
access and contain the situation.