Dubai, (IINA) - A senior UN official has accused on Tuesday the Houthi group of obstructing the delivery of humanitarian supplies to civilians in Taiz province and warned that up to 200,000 people are living under “virtual siege” in the city, Reuters reported.

UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien said that months of fighting has left some 200,000 civilians in a virtual state of siege in need of drinking water, medical treatments and other life-saving assistance and protection.

“Al-Houthi and popular committees are blocking supply routes and continue to obstruct the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid and supplies into Taiz City”, O’Brien said.

"Despite repeated attempts by UN agencies and our humanitarian partners to negotiate access and reach people, our trucks have remained stuck at checkpoints and only very limited assistance has been allowed in", he added.

"This is unacceptable. I call on all parties to work with the United Nations and other neutral and impartial organizations to urgently facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance and protection to civilians and the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian workers to Taiz City, without further delay", he said.

AG/IINA