Topic
Yemeni Civil War
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Houthi forces fire ballistic missiles at Mocha port and al-Khawkhah
On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched ballistic missiles from areas east of Taiz at multiple coastal locations in Yemen. A Yemeni army source reported that at least three missiles struck the port of Mocha, with a fourth impacting near the al-Barah intersection. Additionally, five missiles struck the al-Khawkhah area within the Hodeidah governorate. The strikes targeted critical infrastructure and areas along Yemen’s western coast.
Houthi leader affirms support for Palestinians and criticizes Saudi Arabia
Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi declared that his movement would support Palestinian fighters until the fall of Israel, as reported by the SABA news agency. During the statement, he accused Saudi Arabia of committing tyranny and injustice against the people of Yemen while citing the support of the United States for Riyadh's actions. Al-Houthi also condemned the ongoing siege and occupation carried out by Saudi Arabia.
Yemeni forces report killing eight Houthi fighters in Taiz
On 26 August 2026, Yemeni government forces repelled an attack by Houthi fighters in the southwestern province of Taiz. The military command reported that clashes broke out in al-Safa and involved heavy exchanges of fire. Government forces stated that at least eight Houthi fighters were killed during the confrontation.
Houthi attacks increase regional tensions and risk escalation in Yemen
The Iran-backed Houthi militia resumed hostilities against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and international shipping, attacking a crude oil tanker in the Red Sea and infrastructure in the port city of Mokha. These strikes ended a four-year period of relative calm and followed Houthi attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Analysts indicated the Houthis aimed to weaken government control over the Red Sea coast, distract from local governance failures, and extract concessions from Saudi Arabia by pressuring global maritime trade. In response, Saudi Arabia spearheaded a multinational maritime coalition involving over 14 countries to enhance regional deterrence and protect the infrastructure vital to its Vision 2030 economic goals.
Houthi missile strikes Saudi tanker off the coast of Yanbu
On Monday, a Saudi-flagged oil tanker was struck by a projectile 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, causing a fire on the vessel's main deck. The Houthis, an Iran-backed group, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was part of an ongoing effort to enforce a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred amidst heightened regional hostilities and follows the Houthi movement's recent decision to end a 2022 truce with the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
Yemeni army claims attacks on Houthis
On 24 August 2026, the Yemeni army announced that it conducted drone strikes against various Houthi positions, specifically targeting barracks, gatherings, and troop movements. The military released footage of the alleged strikes but did not provide specific locations or information regarding casualties. This engagement represents a recent escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Yemeni army and Houthi forces.
Yemen and US officials discuss countering Houthi propaganda
Yemen’s Minister of Information Moammar al-Eryani met with US Chargé d’Affaires Neal H. Opdahl to discuss strategies for countering Houthi disinformation through the dissemination of accurate information. The meeting took place against the backdrop of ongoing Houthi strikes on ships in the Red Sea and reported Yemeni government drone attacks on Houthi barracks and gathering sites. Minister al-Eryani stated that the Yemeni leadership saw a genuine opportunity to strengthen ties with the US to address Houthi propaganda.
Tanker traffic at Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port falls by one-third
Tanker traffic at Saudi Arabia's Yanbu oil terminal declined by more than one-third following the Houthis' July 20 announcement of a blockade against Saudi vessels in the Bab al-Mandeb strait. In response, Aramco initiated a three-part transport strategy involving shuttle tankers to Egypt's Ain Sukhna port, transit through the SUMED pipeline, and a reload process at the Mediterranean port of Sidi Kerir. This logistical shift allowed Saudi crude shipments to continue despite the regional blockade.
Al-Makha port suspends operations following Houthi attacks
Operations at the Al-Makha port in Yemen were suspended on August 12 following a series of Houthi drone and ballistic missile attacks that began on August 9. The strikes targeted port infrastructure and merchant vessels, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 people and injuring 22 others, including civilian workers and crew members. According to port director Abdulmalik Al-Sharabi, the facility was forced to shut down to protect the lives of its 1,500 employees as Houthi forces continued near-daily attacks on the area.
Government forces and Houthis exchange attacks in Yemen
Yemeni government forces executed 81 attacks against Houthi positions within a 24-hour period, resulting in the neutralization of several Houthi fighters and field commanders. Concurrently, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced that the group conducted two drone strikes targeting an Aramco facility and an airport in Saudi Arabia’s Najran province. These hostilities occurred amidst a broader intensification of fighting over the past month, which follows a 2022 UN-brokered truce that previously stabilized the front lines. The escalation signals a potential return to full-scale conflict in a nation where 18 million people already lack reliable access to food.
Yemen's Houthis say they targeted Saudi airport and Aramco facility
On August 20, Houthi rebels claimed they used drones to target an airport and an Aramco facility in the Najran region of Saudi Arabia. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated the operations were successful, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guards issued a warning regarding Saudi Arabia's ability to contain the group. This activity followed the collapse of a 2022 truce and the resumption of hostilities last month, which included the announcement of a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. The attacks occurred as officials reported that Houthi forces were plotting to seize territory near the Bab al-Mandab Strait to threaten international shipping.
Tanker boarded by armed individuals off coast of Yemen
On 20 August 2026, six armed individuals boarded a tanker approximately 136 nautical miles east of Mukalla, Yemen. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the unauthorized boarding occurred after the tanker, which was traveling west in the Gulf of Aden, had been approached by an unauthorized vessel. The armed individuals subsequently took control of the tanker and diverted its course toward Somalia. The status and safety of the vessel's crew remain unknown.
Houthis announce new rules of engagement against Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s Houthi group, known as Ansar Allah, announced three new rules of engagement against Saudi Arabia, focused on enforcing a maritime blockade, targeting military deployments, and defending Yemeni sovereignty. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree reported that Houthi forces had targeted eight Saudi oil vessels and forced another 48 to retreat across the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean since July 20. Additionally, the group conducted nine attacks against Saudi infrastructure in cities including Yanbu, Najran, Jizan, and Abha, along with 14 operations targeting military deployments in areas such as Marib and al-Makha. The Houthis stated these actions were a response to Saudi restrictions and issued a demand for Riyadh to lift its blockade, withdraw foreign troops, and yield control of Yemen’s natural resources.
Houthi ballistic missile hits house near Taiz, Yemen
On 18 August 2026, a ballistic missile launched by Houthi forces struck a house in the al-Akmah village of the Maqbanah district near Taiz, Yemen. According to the media centre affiliated with the Saudi-backed government, the strike caused extensive property damage and killed several livestock. No human casualties were reported following the impact.
Cargo vessel struck by projectiles off the coast of Mocha, Yemen
On Monday, August 17, 2026, a cargo vessel was struck by multiple unknown projectiles approximately 40 nautical miles southeast of Mocha, Yemen. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the ship, which was unmanned during the incident, sustained a complete constructive loss. The event was documented following updates from the UKMTO on Tuesday.
Yemeni forces shoot down Houthi drone in Hadramout
Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, shot down a suspected Houthi drone near the al-Thaniyah camp in the Hadramout region. The First Division of the Yemeni Emergency Forces confirmed the engagement and released photos of the destroyed aircraft. Simultaneously, the Saudi-backed government launched its own drone strikes against Houthi positions in al-Makha, Harib, Bayhan, and additional locations within the Shabwa governorate. These events marked an active exchange of aerial strikes between the two opposing sides in multiple Yemeni regions.
Yemen's armed forces report 133 military operations against Houthis
On 18 August 2026, Yemen’s armed forces reported the execution of 133 military operations against Houthi forces over the preceding 24-hour period. Spokesperson Majed al-Nuzaili stated that army units stationed along front-line positions utilized rocket artillery, field artillery, and drone aviation to target what were described as sources of threat. The announcement specified that the military engagement involved participation from multiple army units.
Woman and child injured in Houthi shelling in Al-Dhale, Yemen
On 17 August 2026, a woman and a child were injured following Houthi shelling in the Al-Dhale governorate of southwestern Yemen. According to the state-run Saba News Agency, the attack struck a residential area. Local sources reported that Houthi military activity has intensified specifically within the Hajar and Murais districts.
US envoy meets with Yemeni officials in Riyadh to discuss conflict
On 17 August 2026, Neil Hope, the Chargé d’Affaires of the US embassy in Yemen, met with Abdulrahman al-Mahrami, the vice president of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, in Riyadh. During the meeting, Hope expressed US support for the Saudi-backed Yemeni government in its ongoing conflict against the Houthis. Hope further condemned attacks against Yemeni civilians and characterized al-Mahrami's forces as a key component in the struggle against Iranian-backed influence in the region.
Houthis launch ballistic missile strikes on Saudi military ships in Red Sea
On Monday, the Iran-aligned Houthi group claimed to have launched ballistic missile and drone strikes against a Saudi military landing ship and four escort boats near the Yemeni port city of Mocha. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree asserted that the vessels sustained direct hits, resulting in the landing ship catching fire and the sinking of some escort boats. Simultaneously, the group reported a drone attack on a Saudi-linked weapons depot at the Sahn al-Jin camp in Marib province. These actions were framed by the Houthis as part of a "siege for siege" policy directed at Saudi Arabia, which supports the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
Mocha shifts from fishing town to military hub amid Houthi attacks
The Yemeni coastal city of Mocha transitioned from a small fishing town into a military hub for the Republican Guard, a faction led by Tareq Saleh and backed by the UAE. The city became a destination for fighters and their families fleeing Houthi-controlled areas, drawn by higher salaries and the presence of essential services. Recently, the Houthis launched more than 25 strikes against the Port of Mocha over a one-week period, resulting in the deaths of 16 civilians and injuries to 22 others. The attacks were reportedly aimed at military reinforcements and positions, prompting residents to relocate their families to safer rural areas in the Taiz and Lahj governorates.
Houthi attacks in Bab el-Mandeb Strait raise security concerns
The Iran-backed Houthis escalated attacks on commercial shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital corridor connecting the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. On Tuesday, an attack on the Egyptian-owned cargo ship Tihamah resulted in the deaths of four crew members, with two additional Yemeni rescuers killed during a subsequent strike. The Houthis, who control northern Yemen and the capital city of Sanaa, have threatened a naval blockade against vessels associated with Saudi ports in response to regional tensions. This violence occurred amidst a broader deterioration in Yemen's stability, with UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg warning of the highest risk of large-scale war since the 2022 truce.
Yemeni government forces respond to Houthi offensive
Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, launched a military response following a new offensive initiated by Houthi forces in controlled territories. The strikes targeted areas affected by the recent Houthi activity.
Yemen government reports Houthi strikes on residential areas in Marib
On Saturday and Sunday, Houthi forces launched multiple ballistic missiles and drone strikes against residential areas and government-held territory in Marib, resulting in several injuries and property damage. The Yemeni government condemned the attacks as a dangerous escalation, noting that the city currently shelters more than two million internally displaced persons. Concurrently, government forces reported killing several Houthi fighters and field commanders during clashes in the Maqbanah front and Jabal al-Zuhayb. These events follow a series of strikes throughout August that killed at least 30 government soldiers in Marib and Hadramout, as well as civilians in al-Makha.
Yemen's Mocha port halts operations following Houthi missile attacks
On August 15, the director of Yemen's Mocha port announced the suspension of commercial and maritime operations after the facility sustained damage from more than 25 Houthi missile strikes over recent days. The attacks resulted in seven deaths and an estimated $16 million in losses, with the Houthis claiming they targeted military assets belonging to Saudi-backed forces. Forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government control the port, which is located near the Bab el-Mandab strait, a vital strategic chokepoint for international shipping.
Drone technology advancements impact the Yemen conflict
Forces loyal to the internationally recognized Yemeni government began utilizing drones to strike Houthi positions across multiple fronts, including Marib, al-Jawf, Taiz, Hajjah, and al-Dhalea. While the Houthis previously maintained a near-monopoly on drone warfare for asymmetric attacks, the government's recent transition from defensive operations to offensive drone strikes challenged Houthi operational patterns. This development does not represent a shift in the overall balance of power, but it forced the Houthis to potentially alter their deployment and supply strategies in key geographic areas.
Houthi spokesperson reports missile attack on Saudi-aligned targets in Al-Mokha
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced that Houthi forces conducted a ballistic missile attack targeting Saudi-aligned groups in the Al-Mokha area of Yemen. According to Saree, the operation struck warships, weapons, and troop concentrations belonging to what he described as Saudi Arabia's tools and mercenaries. The spokesperson reported that the strike was precise, resulting in the destruction of military assets and causing dozens of deaths and injuries.
Houthi missile attack on Mocha port kills four civilians
On August 14, the Houthi movement launched six ballistic missiles at the Red Sea port of Mocha, killing four civilians and damaging civilian infrastructure and fishing boats. The internationally recognized Yemeni government reported the attack, while the Houthis claimed the strikes targeted Saudi-backed military assets and personnel. Separately, the Houthis claimed a drone attack against an Aramco facility in Najran, Saudi Arabia, citing the action as a response to Saudi aircraft entering Yemeni airspace. These incidents occurred amidst a broader rise in hostilities between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed coalition, raising concerns about the potential for a return to large-scale conflict in Yemen.
UN warns of increased conflict risk in Yemen
UN envoy Hans Grundberg warned that Yemen faces its most significant risk of a return to large-scale war since the 2022 truce, citing intensified military activity between the Iran-aligned Houthis and the Saudi-backed government. This escalation included Houthi attacks in Marib, Hadramawt, and Mocha, as well as continued Houthi strikes on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The deteriorating security situation occurred alongside a severe humanitarian crisis where more than half of Yemen’s population experienced acute food insecurity, with 6 million people nearing famine conditions.
Houthis claim drone strike on Saudi refinery
On Thursday, Houthi forces claimed to have conducted a drone strike against an Aramco refinery in the Jizan region of southern Saudi Arabia. According to the Houthi-affiliated news agency Saba, the attack involved two drones that allegedly achieved a precise hit. The Houthi military source stated that the strike was a response to Saudi violations of Yemeni airspace and sovereignty in the Saada and Hajjah governorates.
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