Saudi Arabia destroys drones and missile; Taiz health system near collapse, says Yemeni official

Saudi Arabia announced the interception and destruction of a drone launched toward the Riyadh region, and the interception and destruction of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis toward the southern region. The Kingdom also stated that its defences intercepted and destroyed another drone in the Makkah region. Prior to this, the Saudi Civil Defence issued a warning about a potential threat in Khamis Mushait. For its part, Yemeni government forces confirmed carrying out 1,087 strikes and counterattacks in the past few hours on the Taiz frontlines, in addition to targeting Houthi positions and reinforcements. Meanwhile, the Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms documented 2,264 Houthi crimes and violations in Taiz over two months, noting that 189 civilians were killed and 281 others were injured in Taiz as a result of Houthi violations between September and October. The human rights network also pointed to the firing of 12,761 indiscriminate projectiles and the displacement of approximately 280,000 people from Taiz during the escalation and siege. Meanwhile, a Yemeni official warned of severe deterioration in the health situation in Taiz governorate due to the ongoing Houthi siege and shortages of fuel, medicine, and oxygen. This threatens to deprive many children of vaccinations and undermines essential medical services. He explained that the Houthi siege has disrupted vaccine supply chains from Aden to Taiz, forced the closure of health centres, and led to the displacement or suspension of medical personnel, jeopardising the vaccination and medical care of many children. The official revealed that fuel reserves in Taiz are only 5% of the required amount, oxygen is at 2%, and emergency medicines and medical supplies are at 30%. He added that the health office's October report documented damage to 345 health facilities, including 256 that were seized, 25 that were partially damaged, and one that was completely destroyed, in addition to other damage to two other facilities. He also announced the suspension of immunisation services in 44 health facilities, reproductive health services in 74 facilities, and the disruption of care for thousands of malnourished children. In a related development, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that 1,677 people have been killed and 7,395 injured as a result of the military escalation in Yemen since last August until October 25, bringing the total number of casualties to 9,072. Meanwhile, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has exceeded 281,000, amid increasing pressure on health facilities and difficulties in delivering humanitarian aid to affected areas. According to data from the Health Emergency Operations Centre, 559 additional deaths and injuries were recorded between October 20 and 25, including 103 deaths and 456 injuries. According to UN data, the number of IDPs has exceeded 281,000 since the renewed fighting in August until late October.