Yemen’s internal conflict intensified in summer after Saudi Arabia conducted airstrikes on the runway of Sana’a airport to prevent an Iranian charter plane carrying Yemeni attendees of Iran’s supreme leader’s funeral from landing. The Houthis, who control the capital, characterized the bombing as part of a broader Saudi blockade and declared their own counter-blockade of Saudi Arabia while launching missiles at oil facilities. This action marked the end of a ceasefire that had held since 2022.
In mid-September, the Houthis decided to expand their operations by advancing southward along the Red Sea coast toward the Bab al-Mandab strait, one of the world’s most critical maritime passages. Within days of this offensive, they captured the coastal town of Mocha, small islands in the strait, and associated airport facilities. The fighting subsequently spread to mountainous terrain overlooking the waterway and into surrounding areas, including toward Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city. Military analysts attributed the Houthi success to various factors including internal divisions within the forces aligned with the UN-recognized government, inadequate command structures, and superior intelligence capabilities.
Saudi Arabia responded with a major counteroffensive called Operation Yemen Dawn, mobilizing approximately 100 fighter jets to support ground forces attempting to reverse Houthi territorial gains. Military operations expanded across multiple fronts including regions west of Taiz, Marib, and areas near Sana’a. The Houthis responded with missile strikes targeting at least five Saudi cities.
The conflict involves multiple factions with competing interests. The UN-recognized government maintains close ties with Saudi Arabia, which provides substantial financial support and has significant economic leverage through the presence of millions of Yemeni migrant workers. However, internal Yemeni forces lack unified command structures, reflecting deep tribal, religious, and regional divisions. Southern separatist groups, including the Southern Transitional Council, are playing increasingly prominent roles in anti-Houthi operations despite historical tensions with the central government.
Regional powers have varying levels of involvement. The United Arab Emirates, which previously participated in coalition efforts against the Houthis, withdrew from Yemen in January 2026 and has distanced itself from Saudi operations. The United States has declined to escalate its involvement, citing resource constraints and political considerations. A new defense agreement signed on 7 August 2026 among Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan has generated international speculation regarding broader regional security implications.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI