Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Houthis Claim Saudi Strikes Amid Yemen Conflict Escalation
The Houthis and Yemen’s government forces are fighting again after the conflict became more active in July.
The Houthis say Saudi Arabia has carried out many airstrikes against their positions.
They also claim they attacked a Saudi military base using drones and missiles.
Yemen’s government says its forces attacked Houthi fighters and military sites.
The Houthis recently claimed control of more territory along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
This has increased concern about the important Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Many people have had to leave their homes, and some have fled to Djibouti.
Reports give different totals for displaced people and deaths, and the claims have not all been independently confirmed.
The Houthis claimed Saudi Arabia carried out 58 airstrikes in 24 hours, while reporting more than 100 strikes since Tuesday.
The Houthis said drones and missiles targeted Sharurah military base in southern Saudi Arabia, including weapons depots and command centers.
Yemeni government forces reported airstrikes against Houthi positions and barracks near Mocha and in the Taiz region.
The renewed fighting has displaced between 76,000 and 86,000 people since July, with reports of 1,400 to more than 2,000 reaching Djibouti.
Saudi authorities said a Houthi projectile injured two people and damaged a mosque, buildings, and vehicles near the border.
- Who
- The Iran-allied Houthis, Yemen’s internationally recognised government forces, and Saudi Arabia, which supports the government.
- What
- The Houthis claimed a drone and missile attack on a Saudi military base as Saudi airstrikes and fighting in Yemen intensified.
- When
- The claims were made on Sunday; the wider renewed fighting has continued since July.
- Where
- The alleged Houthi attack targeted Sharurah in southern Saudi Arabia, while fighting and airstrikes were reported near Mocha, Taiz, Saada, and Al-Jawf in Yemen.
- Why
- The violence is part of Yemen’s continuing civil war and followed renewed Houthi military activity, including a claimed maritime blockade and territorial advances along the Red Sea coast.
Houthi Position
Yemeni Government and Saudi Position
Airstrikes and responsibility
Houthi Position
The Houthis said Saudi Arabia carried out 58 airstrikes in 24 hours and reported more than 100 strikes against areas under their control since Tuesday.
Yemeni Government and Saudi Position
Yemeni government forces said their air force attacked Houthi positions and barracks near Mocha and in Taiz; Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the Houthi strike totals cited in the reports.
Cross-border military actions
Houthi Position
The Houthis claimed they launched drones and missiles at Sharurah military base, targeting weapons depots and command-and-control centres involved in what they called aggression against Yemen.
Yemeni Government and Saudi Position
Saudi authorities reported that a Houthi projectile near the border injured two people and damaged a mosque, buildings, and vehicles.
Territorial control and the Red Sea
Houthi Position
The Houthis claimed advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, control of strategic islands, and a maritime blockade of Saudi Red Sea ports.
Yemeni Government and Saudi Position
The Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government is based in Aden, and its forces reported attacking Houthi fighters and military equipment near Mocha and Taiz.
- Houthi-reported Saudi strikes
- 58 airstrikes in the previous 24 hours; the Houthis also reported more than 100 strikes since Tuesday.
- Alleged Houthi target
- Sharurah military base in southern Saudi Arabia.
- Alleged weapons used
- Drones and missiles targeting weapons depots and command-and-control centres, according to Yahya Saree.
- Government military action
- Yemeni government forces reported three airstrikes against Houthi positions and barracks in the Taiz region, as well as attacks near Mocha.
- Displacement
- The International Organization for Migration reported either 76,000 or nearly 86,000 people displaced since July in the two reports.
- Movement to Djibouti
- Reports said about 1,400 people had crossed into Djibouti, while another account said more than 2,000 had arrived.
- Reported casualties
- Sources on both sides said more than 500 people had been killed; Saudi authorities reported two people injured by a border projectile.
