Archive · 24 Sep 2026
UN Says Yemen Civilians Bear Brunt of Renewed Fighting
Fighting has become worse again in Yemen after being mostly quiet since a 2022 truce.
The main sides are Yemen’s government forces and the Houthi movement.
The United Nations says ordinary people are suffering the most.
It recorded 32 civilians killed since August, including children and women.
Overall, 125 people were killed or hurt in the latest violence according to the UN’s records.
More than 130,000 people have had to leave their homes.
Some people even crossed the Red Sea to Africa.
The Houthis say the UN is unfair and accuse Saudi forces of attacking public places.
Saudi Arabia says its forces do not target civilians.
UN rights chief Volker Turk said civilians are bearing the heaviest impact of renewed fighting in Yemen.
The UN documented 32 civilian deaths since August, including 15 children and three women.
The UN recorded 125 people killed or wounded during the latest escalation, without assigning responsibility for all casualties.
Fighting has flared around former front lines, including Taiz and the Red Sea coast, displacing more than 130,000 people.
The Houthis rejected the UN allegations, while Saudi Arabia has repeatedly denied targeting civilians.
- Who
- Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah, are involved; civilians are the main victims.
- What
- Renewed fighting in Yemen has caused civilian casualties, displacement and accusations over attacks on civilians and public facilities.
- When
- The latest escalation has occurred since August, with violence reported on September 24; the conflict had largely been frozen since a 2022 truce.
- Where
- Fighting has occurred around former front lines, including Taiz, the Red Sea coast and areas of Yemen’s al-Jawf province.
- Why
- The articles describe a sharp escalation in Yemen’s civil war but do not establish a definitive cause.
UN and Saudi-backed government position
Houthi position
Civilian casualties
UN and Saudi-backed government position
UN rights chief Volker Turk says civilians are bearing the brunt of the escalation and that the UN documented 32 civilian deaths since August.
Houthi position
Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam says the UN allegations are false, unsupported by evidence and reflect a loss of impartiality.
Responsibility for attacks
UN and Saudi-backed government position
The UN documented three attacks by Ansar Allah on sites for internally displaced people and urged all parties to protect civilians.
Houthi position
The Houthis accuse Saudi forces of bombardment targeting public facilities, including a correctional facility, homes and schools.
Saudi military conduct
UN and Saudi-backed government position
Saudi officials have repeatedly said Saudi forces do not target civilians in Yemen.
Houthi position
The Houthis say Saudi bombardment has harmed public facilities and civilians.
- UN-documented civilian deaths
- 32 since August, including 15 children and 3 women
- Total people killed or wounded
- 125 documented by the UN human rights office
- Displacement
- More than 130,000 people displaced
- Reported attacks
- The UN documented three attacks by Ansar Allah on internally displaced people’s sites since August
- UN staff detained
- More than 70 UN staff are being detained by the Houthis in Yemen
- Conflict status
- Fighting had largely been frozen since a 2022 truce
- Cross-border flight
- Some displaced people fled across the Red Sea to Africa