Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Yemen Clashes Kill 63 as Houthis Fight Saudi-Backed Forces
Fighting has intensified in Yemen between Houthi rebels and forces supporting Yemen’s government.
The government forces are backed by Saudi Arabia.
Military sources said 63 people were killed in one 24-hour period.
The government side reported that 23 of its soldiers died in Houthi missile and drone attacks.
Houthi sources said 40 of their fighters died in Saudi airstrikes and fighting on the ground.
The Houthis also said they shot down a Saudi fighter jet, but the report presents this as their claim.
The fighting has spread near important sea routes used to move energy supplies.
This could make oil and fuel more expensive around the world.
The United States has so far declined Saudi requests for military help, according to the report.
Fighting between Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces killed 63 people in 24 hours, according to military sources cited by AFP.
A Yemeni government official said 23 government soldiers died in Houthi missile and drone attacks.
Houthi sources said 40 of their fighters were killed in Saudi airstrikes and ground clashes.
The Houthis claimed to control Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and said Saudi Arabia had conducted hundreds of strikes in recent days.
The conflict threatens Gulf energy routes, while oil prices remain above $100 a barrel amid the wider West Asia war.
- Who
- Houthi rebels, Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia, Saudi military forces, and wider regional and international actors.
- What
- Clashes, missile and drone attacks, Saudi airstrikes, and ground fighting reportedly killed 63 people in 24 hours.
- When
- The deaths occurred during the 24 hours reported on Thursday; the article also says the Houthis advanced along the Red Sea coast during the preceding week.
- Where
- The fighting occurred in Yemen, including two southwestern provinces, along the Red Sea coastline, and near the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
- Why
- The clashes are part of the conflict between the Houthis and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government forces; the fighting is also occurring amid a broader West Asia war and threatens energy routes.
Saudi-Backed Government Forces
Houthi Forces
Responsibility for casualties
Saudi-Backed Government Forces
A Yemeni government official said Houthi missile and drone attacks killed at least 23 government soldiers.
Houthi Forces
Houthi military sources said 40 of their fighters were killed by Saudi airstrikes and ground clashes.
Air attacks
Saudi-Backed Government Forces
Saudi Arabia has carried out airstrikes against Houthi positions, according to Houthi sources and the article’s account.
Houthi Forces
The Houthis say Saudi Arabia conducted hundreds of strikes in Yemen in recent days and that they responded with missiles and drones aimed across the border.
Control of strategic territory
Saudi-Backed Government Forces
The Saudi-backed side is opposing the Houthis’ advance and control of Yemen’s Red Sea areas.
Houthi Forces
The Houthis claim to have seized Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline and islands near the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
Saudi fighter jet claim
Saudi-Backed Government Forces
The article does not include an independent Saudi confirmation of the reported aircraft loss.
Houthi Forces
The Houthis claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15 and released video purportedly showing a crash site and part of an aircraft wing.
- Reported deaths
- 63 people were killed over 24 hours, according to military sources cited by AFP.
- Government losses
- A Yemeni government official reported at least 23 government soldiers killed.
- Houthi losses
- Houthi military sources reported 40 fighters killed.
- Houthi attacks
- The government official attributed the soldiers’ deaths to Houthi missile and drone attacks.
- Saudi operations
- Houthi sources said 40 fighters were killed in Saudi airstrikes and ground clashes.
- Energy prices
- Global crude prices remained above $100 a barrel, while average U.S. diesel prices reached nearly $6.40 per gallon.
- U.S. position
- U.S. President Donald Trump has so far rejected Saudi requests for military support against the Houthis.