Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Videos Show Yemeni Fighters Driving Vehicles Over Houthi Opponents
Yemeni government forces and the Houthis are fighting near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Reuters checked videos that show armoured vehicles driving over fighters during the battle.
Some people in the videos appeared unarmed, and gunfire could be heard.
The Houthis say the videos show war crimes.
The Giants Brigade says it is investigating and says its fighters thought some opponents were surrendering before some allegedly fired at them.
The Houthis deny that government forces took back land, and Reuters could not confirm how much land changed hands.
Fighting is also continuing near Taiz.
Saudi Arabia carried out air strikes as government forces tried to strengthen their counter-attack.
Reuters verified videos showing Yemeni government forces’ armoured vehicles running over Houthi fighters during fighting near Bab el-Mandeb on Monday.
The footage showed some people who appeared unarmed, including men with their hands raised; gunfire was also audible.
The Giants Brigade said it was investigating and that its forces had been misled into thinking Houthi fighters were surrendering before some allegedly opened fire.
The Houthis called the footage evidence of war crimes and denied losing ground; Reuters said it could not independently verify the extent of government gains.
Fighting continued near Bab el-Mandeb and Taiz, while Saudi Arabia carried out air strikes and government forces sought to consolidate their counter-attack.
- Who
- Yemeni government forces, including the Giants Brigade, and Houthi fighters.
- What
- Government forces counter-attacked near Bab el-Mandeb; Reuters-verified footage showed armoured vehicles running over fighters.
- When
- The footage showed events on Monday; fighting continued on Tuesday. The report was dated October 6.
- Where
- Near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and around Taiz, Yemen.
- Why
- The forces were fighting over territory near Bab el-Mandeb that the Houthis had captured the previous month.
Yemeni government forces and supporters
Houthis
Control of territory
Yemeni government forces and supporters
Government forces said they had counter-attacked and were retaking areas near Bab el-Mandeb.
Houthis
The Houthis denied losing ground and called claims of government advances baseless.
Videos and alleged war crimes
Yemeni government forces and supporters
The Giants Brigade said it was investigating and that its forces had been led to believe Houthi fighters were surrendering before some allegedly fired on them.
Houthis
The Houthis called the videos proof of war crimes and blamed Saudi Arabia and forces it had mobilised.
- Main location
- Near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Yemen’s Red Sea coast
- Footage
- Reuters said it verified videos filmed from inside armoured vehicles
- Government force
- The Giants Brigade was identified as the main government force involved in the fighting at Bab el-Mandeb
- Giants Brigade response
- Spokesperson Asil al-Saqladi said the brigade was investigating and said its forces had been misled into thinking Houthi fighters were surrendering
- Houthi response
- The Houthis called the videos evidence of war crimes and denied losing ground
- Other fighting
- Clashes continued around Taiz, where Houthi gains reportedly cut a main road to Aden and left government forces encircled
- Saudi role
- Saudi Arabia backed the government forces and carried out air strikes on Houthi forces on Monday