Houthis threaten more Saudi strikes as UN warns of humanitarian crisis in Yemen

Live updates

1. 1d ago

   Saudi-backed forces launch offensive to reclaim Bab al-Mandeb Strait

   Yemeni government forces have launched a major offensive against Iran-backed Houthis, claiming to have retaken key positions near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. A Saudi-led air campaign involving 100 fighter jets has destroyed hundreds of targets to secure the maritime chokepoint. In response, Houthis have attacked locations in Saudi Arabia and continue to battle government forces for strategic sites in Taiz governorate. The UN Security Council, via France's Jérôme Bonnafont, has condemned Houthi strikes on Saudi civilians and energy infrastructure, calling for an immediate end to the military escalation.

   Why it matters

   The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a vital chokepoint for global trade. This escalation follows a period of relative quiet under a 2022 UN-brokered ceasefire. The conflict is part of a broader regional struggle involving Iranian influence and Saudi security.

   What is confirmed

   • Yemeni government forces claim to have retaken key positions near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
   • A Saudi-led air campaign using 100 fighter jets has destroyed hundreds of targets.
   • The UN Security Council condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi civilians and energy infrastructure.
   • France's Permanent Representative to the UN, Jérôme Bonnafont, delivered the Security Council statement on September 25, 2026.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Fighting is intensifying in Taiz governorate as government and Houthi forces battle for strategic locations.
   • Houthis have attacked key locations in Saudi Arabia in response to the Bab al-Mandeb offensive.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of territorial control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait
   • Further UN Security Council resolutions regarding Red Sea shipping safety
   • Changes in US diplomatic positioning toward Tehran following the offensive
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. www.aljazeera.com — Why is fighting intensifying in Yemen’s Taiz governorate?
   2. www.spa.gov.sa — UN Security Council Condemns Continued Houthi Attacks on ...
   3. www.theguardian.com — Air campaign against Houthis under way in Yemen, says Saudi ...
   4. ktvz.com — Yemen’s Saudi-backed government announces major offensive against Iran-backed Houthis - KTVZ
   5. www.straitstimes.com — Yemeni government forces drive Houthis from Bab el-Mandeb Strait
   confidence 90%
2. 2d ago

   Saudi Arabia Strikes Sanaa as Houthi Conflict Threatens Peace

   Saudi Arabia launched dozens of airstrikes targeting Yemen's capital Sanaa following Houthi strikes on oil facilities in Riyadh and Abha Airport. The renewed violence threatens to fully reignite the civil war that had previously quieted under a 2022 UN-brokered ceasefire. Meanwhile, the broader regional confrontation persists as Washington weighs diplomatic proposals with Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump rejected an initial Qatari-mediated roadmap from Iran, while US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that American military action has significantly degraded Iranian capabilities.

   Why it matters

   The resurgence of fighting in Yemen risks compounding an already severe humanitarian emergency driven by blockades, closed ports, and worsening internal displacement. The localized conflict remains deeply entangled with regional proxy warfare, drawing retaliatory US military strikes against Houthi shipping attacks in the Red Sea. Diplomatic channels regarding vital maritime choke points face severe strain amid conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran.

   What is confirmed

   • Saudi Arabia launched dozens of strikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa amid escalating conflict with Houthi forces and attacks on oil facilities in Riyadh.
   • US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian-backed peace proposal regarding the Strait of Hormuz, stating the country is losing badly.
   • US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed American forces have crippled Iran's military and nuclear capabilities.
   • Houthi strikes targeted Saudi Arabia's Abha Airport in July 2026.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Tehran is still waiting for an official response from Washington to its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

   What to watch next

   • Official US response to Iranian proposals regarding the Strait of Hormuz
   • Further escalation of coalition airstrikes and ground advances in Yemen governorates
   • Impact of ongoing Red Sea shipping disruptions on regional trade
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. www.cfr.org — Conflict in Yemen and the Red Sea
   2. www.euronews.com — Yemen - euronews
   3. www.eurasiareview.com — The UAE And The Horn Of Africa’s Perfect Storm – Analysis
   4. gtvnewshd.com — Iran Warns Enemies: “Surprises” Are Ready as New Military Technology Awaits
   5. www.foxnews.com — World News Today Updates & Daily Headlines | Fox News
   6. www.euronews.com — Houthis - euronews
   7. gardnermagazine.com — World News of the Week – Gardner News Magazine: Local News & Articles in Gardner MA
   8. globalnewsmap.org — Yemen – Saudi‑backed coalition vs. Houthis: live map and ...
   9. www.timesnownews.com — US-Iran War LIVE Updates: US Sanctions Iran’s Iran Khodro, SAIPA And Russia Linked A7 Shadow Bank Network
   10. www.gulf-times.com — tag - Gulf Times
   11. stockhub.kr — Iran War Room — Live Market Impact Monitor
   12. www.straitstimes.com — Saudi Arabia and Houthis escalate strikes in Yemen conflict ...
   confidence 90%
3. 6d ago

   UN Condemns Houthi Strikes on Riyadh as Yemen Crisis Deepens

   The United Nations Security Council condemned escalating Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia after Riyadh intercepted six ballistic missiles originating from Yemen. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister warned that these Iran-backed assaults threaten international shipping across the Red Sea. Meanwhile, the UN reports that internal displacement inside Yemen could exceed 230,000, with thousands more fleeing across the Red Sea to Djibouti as renewed fighting closes key roads and ports. Iran warned that blocking its flights could trigger regional restrictions, while awaiting a US response to its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

   Why it matters

   The security crisis has drawn regional powers together, marked by a recent emergency defense summit in Riyadh involving Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia. The conflict continues to disrupt vital energy exports, drive up energy prices, and alter the security calculus for Horn of Africa nations. Simultaneously, the broader diplomatic effort faces severe strain as experts warn the United Nations is grappling with funding deficits, relevance questions, and Security Council gridlock.

   What is confirmed

   • The United Nations Security Council condemned escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemeni Houthi fighters.
   • Saudi Arabia's foreign minister warned that Iran-backed Houthi attacks threaten international shipping in the Red Sea after intercepting six ballistic missiles from Yemen.
   • Internal displacement inside Yemen could swell to more than 230,000 while renewed fighting could drive 10,000 across the Red Sea to Djibouti.

   Still unconfirmed

   • US President Donald Trump rejected Iran's proposal for a seven-day roadmap aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

   What to watch next

   • An official US response to Iran's regional peace and Strait of Hormuz proposal
   • Developments regarding the naval blockade and oil tanker traffic along Yemen's Red Sea coast
   • Further implementation of joint defense measures by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. www.aljazeera.com — As major powers act unilaterally, experts say UN faces crisis in New York
   2. www.ariananews.af — Iran awaits US move after WSJ report says Trump rejects peace plan
   3. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — US Iran War Live Updates: ‘We will not spare them’: Iran vows to pursue Trump, Netanyahu even after war ends
   4. www.channelnewsasia.com — Allies unite behind Saudi Arabia as more Iranian flights restricted
   5. www.foxnews.com — Saudi foreign minister warns Houthi threat goes global as Trump holds fire
   6. carnegieendowment.org — The Impacts of the Houthis’ Advance Could Extend Well Beyond Saudi Arabia | Carnegie Endowment for Inte....
   7. saudigazette.com.sa — UN warns of rising Yemen displacement as thousands more flee fighting - Latest News from Saudi Arabia and....
   8. www.nation.com.pk — UN slams Houthi strike on Riyadh while Yemen crisis deepens
   9. www.al-monitor.com — UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
   10. www.aljazeera.com — Yemen’s war disrupts roads and ports, deepening humanitarian ...
   11. www.yahoo.com — America celebrates the queen of country on ‘Dolly Parton Day'
   confidence 90%
4. 10d ago

   Military Leaders Meet in Riyadh Over Houthi Threats

   Military leaders from Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia held an emergency summit in Riyadh to address the Houthi issue under a joint defense agreement. This diplomatic movement coincides with a plea from the UN refugee chief for an end to violence in Yemen. Meanwhile, Iraq is requesting US exemptions for specific airports to allow Iranian civilian and humanitarian flights to resume. These developments occur as the UN General Assembly conducts its eighty-first session in New York and Israel continues strikes in Gaza, the West Bank, and southern Lebanon.

   Why it matters

   The region remains volatile following US and Israeli strikes in February that damaged the Iranian economy. Tensions persist between the US and Iran, with the US previously advising citizens to exit Iran. The current military coordination in Riyadh suggests an escalation in regional defense planning against Houthi activity.

   What is confirmed

   • Military leaders from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan met in Riyadh for an emergency meeting regarding the Houthi issue.
   • The United Nations General Assembly is currently holding its eighty-first session in New York.
   • Israel is conducting strikes against Gaza, the West Bank, and southern Lebanon.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Iraqi prime minister's media office says Iraq seeks US exemptions for some airports to resume Iranian flights for humanitarian and civilian purposes.

   What to watch next

   • Outcomes of the Riyadh emergency summit regarding the joint defense agreement
   • US decision on Iraqi requests for Iranian flight exemptions
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. www.arabnews.com — Yemen needs peace, ‘enough of this violence,’ UN refugee chief tells Arab News
   2. www.iranintl.com — Trump rejected Iran Hormuz plan, expects strikes after midterms
   3. eastleighvoice.co.ke — Middle East
   4. www.agcnews.eu — #ISRAELIRANWAR. Israel: Motions to exclude far-right parties from elections rejected. Israeli strikes against the West Bank, Gaza, and southern Lebanon. Emergency summit in Riyadh
   5. www.fbcnews.com.fj — Disaster gap raises treaty concerns
   confidence 90%
5. 14d ago

   US-Iran War Enters Seventh Month As IRGC Claims Drone Downed

   The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered its seventh month, maintaining high tension across the Middle East. The United States has advised its citizens to leave Iran immediately due to expected travel disruptions. Meanwhile, Iran faces growing pressure from the ongoing war, which began with United States and Israeli strikes in February and continues to damage the Iranian economy. Tehran has also issued fresh claims regarding American military losses that exceed disclosures made by the Pentagon.

   Why it matters

   The war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has reshaped the Middle East region since strikes began in February. Ongoing hostilities have severely impacted the Iranian economy and disrupted regional stability. Tensions remain elevated as military engagements continue across strategic waterways.

   What is confirmed

   • The US-Iran war has entered its seventh month, following initial strikes by the US and Israel in February.
   • The United States has urged its citizens to leave Iran immediately and warned of travel disruptions.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Tehran claims that US military troop deaths in the war are higher than the figures disclosed by the Pentagon.
   • The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps aerospace forces successfully identified, monitored, and destroyed a US MQ-1 drone operating over the Strait of Hormuz.

   What to watch next

   • Further official statements or verifications regarding the downed US drone over the Strait of Hormuz.
   • Developments concerning the safety and departure of US citizens from Iran.
   Sources used for this update (3)

   1. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — US-Iran War Live Updates: US troop deaths in Iran war more than what Pentagon disclosed - report
   2. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — US-Iran War Live Updates: US tells citizens to leave Iran immediately, warns of travel disruptions
   3. www.timesnownews.com — US-Iran War Live Updates: Iran's IRGC Issues Fresh Warning, Says War 'Not Over'
   confidence 80%
6. 18d ago

   Houthi land grab pushes up fuel prices and threatens Saudi oil exports

   Iran-backed Houthi rebels have executed their largest land grab in years, reigniting Yemen's 12-year civil war. These movements have extended Houthi reach to a key maritime chokepoint, threatening Saudi Arabian oil exports and causing global fuel prices to rise. In response to the escalating attacks, Saudi Arabia is reportedly seeking defensive assistance from its allies. This surge in violence follows a week of Houthi strikes that prompted unprecedented air raid alerts in Saudi cities, including Mecca.

   Why it matters

   The conflict involves a long-standing civil war in Yemen and regional tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Control over maritime chokepoints allows the Houthis to disrupt international shipping and energy markets.

   What is confirmed

   • Iran-backed Houthi rebels executed their biggest land grab in years.
   • The Houthi land grab reignited Yemen's 12-year civil war.
   • Global fuel prices have increased due to recent Houthi activity.
   • Houthi movements now threaten Saudi Arabian oil exports and reach a key maritime chokepoint.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Saudi Arabia is reaching out to allies for help with defenses.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the emergency UN Security Council meeting
   • Changes in global fuel prices following Houthi maritime positioning
   • Confirmation of Saudi defensive agreements with allies
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — US-Iran War Live Updates: US military 'obliterates' two Iranian boats over attempt to 'steal' sea drone in Hormuz
   2. www.arkansasonline.com — Gaza building collapse kills at least 21
   3. www.abc.net.au — How a week of Houthi attacks threatens Saudi oil and rattles markets
   4. www.wusf.org — What to know after a week of Houthi attacks that threaten Saudi oil
   confidence 90%
7. 20d ago

   Houthis Target Saudi Arabia as UN Warns of Yemen Humanitarian Crisis

   Houthi militants have launched new strikes against Saudi targets, prompting the Saudi government to vow a firm response and raise air raid alerts in Jeddah and Mecca. Mecca's alert marks the first time in history the city has faced such a warning. In retaliation, Houthis claim Saudi Arabia conducted 54 air strikes within Yemen. The United Nations has called for immediate de-escalation and convened an emergency Security Council meeting to address intensifying violence and a growing humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

   Why it matters

   Tensions are rising as diplomatic talks regarding the Strait of Hormuz have stalled. This escalation threatens regional stability and worsens the existing humanitarian disaster in Yemen.

   What is confirmed

   • Saudi Arabia raised air raid alerts in Jeddah and Mecca.
   • The United Nations called for de-escalation due to intensifying fighting in Yemen.
   • Saudi Arabia vowed a firm response to Houthi attacks.
   • The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting regarding rising violence in Yemen.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Saudi Arabia hit Yemen with 54 strikes following attacks on bases.
   • Danger has passed in six Saudi cities, including Yanbu.

   What to watch next

   • Outcomes of the UN Security Council emergency meeting
   • Progress or further collapse of talks over the Strait of Hormuz
   • Evidence of additional Saudi retaliatory strikes in Yemen
   Sources used for this update (10)

   1. yahoo.com — Houthis say Saudi Arabia hits Yemen with 54 strikes after attack on bases
   2. Reuters — Houthis strike Saudi targets anew as talks over Strait of Hormuz stall
   3. Reuters — Saudi civil defence says danger has passed in six cities including Yanbu
   4. Al Jazeera — Houthis say air strikes hit Yemen after Saudi Arabia vows ‘firm’ response
   5. Daily Sabah — Saudi Arabia raises Jeddah, Mecca alarm, vows response to Houthis
   6. The Guardian — Houthis threaten more Saudi strikes as UN warns of humanitarian crisis in Yemen
   7. NDTV — Mecca Put On Air Raid Alert For First Time In History As Houthis Target Saudi
   8. i24news.tv — US DoD inspector general report says Iran war resulted in munitions shortfall & ‘bottlenecks’ | LIVE BLOG
   9. UN News — Security Council LIVE: Rising violence triggers emergency meeting on Yemen
   10. Yahoo — UN calls for de-escalation as fighting in Yemen intensifies
   confidence 90%