Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Yemen Fighting Kills More Than 70 Ahead of Riyadh Talks
Fighting in Yemen has become more intense.
Sources on both sides said more than 70 people were killed in one day.
Government forces and Houthi fighters gave different counts of their own losses.
Yemen’s Saudi-backed government says it has started a major operation to take areas held by the Houthis.
Officials from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are expected to meet in Riyadh on Monday.
They plan to discuss recent events in the region, including Yemen.
Pakistan’s foreign minister said Iran had suggested talking with the Houthis politically.
The meeting will also discuss cooperation within the defence pact.
More than 70 people were reported killed in fighting in and around Yemen’s Taiz province over 24 hours, according to sources cited by AFP.
Yemeni government sources reported 34 troop deaths, including 20 in fighting near Lahj; Houthi sources said 39 fighters were killed.
The Saudi-backed Yemeni government announced a major operation to seize territory held by the Iran-backed Houthis.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan officials are due to meet in Riyadh on Monday through the Mecca defence pact’s strategic political and defence committee.
The talks are expected to cover regional developments, including Yemen; Pakistan’s foreign minister said Iran had proposed political engagement with the Houthis.
- Who
- Yemeni government forces and Houthi fighters; officials from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are due to attend the Riyadh meeting.
- What
- Intensified fighting has reportedly killed more than 70 people, while the Saudi-backed government has launched a major operation against the Houthis.
- When
- The reported deaths occurred over the 24 hours before Sunday’s report; the committee meeting is scheduled for Monday.
- Where
- Fighting in and around Taiz province and areas bordering Lahj, Yemen; the talks are in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The government said its operation aims to seize territory controlled by the Houthis; the meeting is to discuss regional developments, including Yemen.
Government and Saudi-backed forces
Houthi forces
Military action and territorial control
Government and Saudi-backed forces
The Saudi-backed Yemeni government announced a major operation aimed at seizing territory controlled by the Houthis.
Houthi forces
The Houthis are identified as the Iran-backed fighters opposing government forces; the article provides no statement from them on the operation.
Reported casualties
Government and Saudi-backed forces
Government sources said 34 of its troops were killed, including 20 near Lahj.
Houthi forces
Houthi military sources said 39 of their fighters were killed in clashes in Taiz and areas bordering Lahj.
- Reported deaths
- More than 70 over 24 hours, according to sources cited by AFP.
- Government-force deaths
- Government sources reported 34 troops killed, including 20 near the edge of Taiz in neighbouring Lahj.
- Houthi deaths
- Houthi military sources reported 39 fighters killed in Taiz and areas bordering Lahj.
- Military operation
- The Saudi-backed Yemeni government announced an operation to seize territory controlled by the Houthis.
- Meeting
- The Mecca defence pact’s strategic political and defence committee is scheduled to meet Monday in Riyadh.
- Expected participants
- Officials from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan; named Turkish attendees include Hakan Fidan, Yasar Guler and General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu.
- Diplomatic proposal
- Pakistan’s foreign minister said Iran had suggested engaging the Houthis politically.