Renewed fighting in Yemen
Fighting in Yemen's decade-long civil war escalated sharply in early September as Iran-aligned Houthi forces captured the Red Sea port city of Mocha and the island of Mayyun (Perim), completing their hold on the Bab al-Mandeb strait -- a chokepoint through which roughly 12% of global trade passes -- and displacing more than 85,000 people since early September, with over 2,000 fleeing to Djibouti. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, describing it as a "battle for survival," launched counter-strikes (backed by roughly 129 Saudi air raids over 48 hours) to retake territory, while the Houthis retaliated with drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia's Sharurah military base and cities including Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, wounding dozens; Saudi Arabia also temporarily closed its 1,200km East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack traced to Iraqi territory. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman twice asked Trump for US air strikes on the Houthis, both requests declined; Trump said the Houthis had told Washington they didn't want to fight the US.
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As it ran
17 September 2026
15 September 2026
14 September 2026
- Why the Houthi advance towards Yemen’s Marib, Taiz matters Al Jazeera
- Yemen gov’t forces advance in Taiz; Houthis take key islands, attack Saudi Al Jazeera
- Yemen forces advance in Taiz; Houthis take key islands, attack Saudi Arabia Al Jazeera
- Inside the Houthis’ expanding war economy in Yemen Al Jazeera
13 September 2026
- Houthis hit Saudi base amid renewed fighting with Yemen government forces South China Morning Post
- Fighting continues between Yemen gov’t forces, Houthis: What is the latest? Al Jazeera
- The Houthis’ escalation in Yemen could flop Al Jazeera