Yemen Health Ministry Reports 562 Casualties Amid Escalation, Warns of Medicine Shortages

Yemen Health Ministry Reports 562 Casualties Amid Escalation, Warns of Medicine Shortages
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Yemen’s Ministry of Health and Environment in Sanaa has reported 562 civilians killed or injured during 100 days of military escalation since July 13, 2026, and warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis. The ministry attributed the escalation to Saudi Arabia, but the casualty figures and allegations could not be independently verified.

Ministry spokesperson Dr Anis Al-Asbahi said the toll included 155 deaths and 407 injuries, with Taiz accounting for more than 33 percent of the reported casualties. He also reported 117 casualties between October 16 and 18, including 29 deaths and 88 injuries, and alleged that attacks had targeted residential areas and fishing boats.

The ministry also warned of a growing pharmaceutical crisis, citing shortages of more than 1,600 medicines, the suspension of supplies by 83 international companies and the destruction of over 100 tonnes of essential medicines. It said 12 cancer medicines were unavailable and more than 40,000 patients with thalassemia and other blood disorders were affected.

Al-Asbahi further claimed that more than 554 health facilities had been targeted since 2015, including 139 hospitals completely destroyed. He called on the United Nations and the international community to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of medicines and medical aid.