Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Houthis Report 40 Saudi Strikes as Trump Eyes Iran Talks
The Houthis and Saudi Arabia are fighting in Yemen.
The Houthis say Saudi aircraft attacked three western Yemeni provinces 40 times in one day.
Saudi Arabia says the Houthis sent a drone toward Mecca.
Saudi officials said the drone was stopped.
The Houthis deny sending it and call Saudi Arabia's claim a lie.
The fighting has become more serious after the Houthis captured parts of Yemen's Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Separately, U.S. media said Iranian drones and a missile attacked a ship near the Strait of Hormuz.
Some people on the ship, including Americans, reportedly suffered minor injuries.
The Houthis said Saudi warplanes conducted 40 strikes in western Yemen over 24 hours.
The reported strikes targeted Taiz, Marib and Hodeidah, using F-15 aircraft based at Khamis Mushait.
Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of sending a drone toward Mecca, while the Houthis called the allegation a lie.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted the drone and would defend its territory and the two holy mosques.
U.S. media reported that Iranian drones and a missile struck a United States-contracted vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, injuring several crew members slightly.
- Who
- The Houthis, Saudi Arabia, the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, Iran and United States personnel are involved or mentioned.
- What
- The Houthis reported 40 Saudi airstrikes, Saudi Arabia accused them of a drone attack toward Mecca, and U.S. media reported an Iranian attack on a contracted vessel.
- When
- The Houthi claims were made on Wednesday; the update was last revised September 17, 2026, at 05:33 IST.
- Where
- The reported airstrikes occurred in Taiz, Marib and Hodeidah in western Yemen; the vessel incident occurred near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- The latest escalation followed the Houthis' reported capture of Yemen's Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a major shipping route and artery for Saudi oil exports.
Saudi and U.S. Reports
Houthi Position
Drone near Mecca
Saudi and U.S. Reports
Saudi Arabia said the Houthis launched a drone toward Mecca, described the act as a terrorist attack, and said the drone was intercepted.
Houthi Position
The Houthis denied the allegation and called it a lie.
Airstrikes in Yemen
Saudi and U.S. Reports
The report identifies the strikes as Saudi military action but does not include a Saudi account of the alleged 40 attacks.
Houthi Position
The Houthis said Saudi aircraft carried out 40 strikes across Taiz, Marib and Hodeidah during the previous 24 hours.
Attack near the Strait of Hormuz
Saudi and U.S. Reports
U.S. media reported that Iranian drones and a missile targeted a United States-contracted vessel and caused minor injuries.
Houthi Position
The article provides no Iranian response or alternative account of the vessel incident.
- Reported Saudi strikes
- The Houthis said Saudi warplanes carried out 40 airstrikes over 24 hours.
- Reported targets
- Taiz, Marib and Hodeidah in western Yemen.
- Aircraft claim
- Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said F-15 aircraft operating from Khamis Mushait carried out the strikes.
- Drone allegation
- Saudi Arabia said the Houthis launched a drone toward Mecca and that it was intercepted.
- Houthi response
- The Houthis rejected the Saudi allegation as a lie.
- Vessel incident
- Fox News reported that four Iranian drones and at least one missile targeted a United States-contracted vessel near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Reported injuries
- Several crew members, including United States personnel, reportedly suffered minor injuries such as smoke inhalation.