Houthis have encircled Taiz city since early October 2026, cutting the main Aden road and other supply routes while launching offensives to secure surrounding heights and protect coastal gains near Mocha and Bab al-Mandeb. This has triggered intense fighting across multiple fronts in the governorate, with government forces under the Presidential Leadership Council conducting airstrikes, repelling attacks, and claiming limited territorial recoveries in areas such as Hayfan and Al-Misrakh districts. The city and Al-Qahira Castle remain under government control amid a worsening humanitarian situation affecting hundreds of thousands. Trader consensus on a year-end capture reflects the sustained Houthi pressure and siege dynamics, tempered by government defensive operations and coalition air support that have slowed further advances through November.