Houthis consolidate Bab el-Mandeb strait control amid escalating Yemen conflict
Houthis consolidate Bab el-Mandeb strait control, declare Saudi maritime blockade amid escalating Yemen conflict.
Event / Conflict
Yemen Civil War Escalation
Ongoing conflict in Yemen involving Houthi forces and Saudi-led coalition, including attacks on religious infrastructure, territorial advances, and military operations.
10 reported locations
Daily activity
24 articles0 articles
2026-09-08 to 2026-10-31 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 8 Sept, 09:36 UTC
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What happened
Yemen war escalates after July ceasefire breakdown
After several years of relative calm, Yemen plunged back into war in July, opening a new front in Middle East conflict. Houthis holding Sanaa and Yemen's Red Sea coast oppose the internationally recognized government that withdrew to Aden and controls much of the south and east.
Houthis claim Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa
Houthis controlling Yemen's capital Sanaa denied responsibility for attacks on Islamic holy sites and accused Saudi Arabia of conducting airstrikes against the city. AFP correspondents reported hearing three powerful explosions and seeing large plumes of smoke in Sanaa's sky.
Turkey reaffirms support for Saudi Arabia
Turkey's Foreign Ministry reaffirmed support for its Saudi ally, stating that provocative attacks threatening Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and targeting Islamic sacred values must cease immediately and unconditionally.
Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia mutual defense pact established
Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia are bound by a mutual defense pact signed in August at Mecca. However, Pakistan and Turkey have so far abstained from military engagement in the Yemen conflict.
Saudi-led coalition intercepts Houthi missiles and drones
The Saudi-led military coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognized government intercepted a total of three missiles and four drones in southern Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening and Friday morning.
Yemeni government forces conduct airstrikes against Houthis
Yemen's regular army announced it conducted 13 precision airstrikes against Houthis across zones they control.
Arab League condemns Houthi escalation
The Arab League denounced a dangerous escalation by Houthis who have intensified strikes against Saudi Arabia since their deadly offensive in early September against Yemen's internationally recognized government forces.
Houthis seize strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait region
Iran-backed Houthis launched a deadly offensive in early September, capturing coastal regions controlling the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait within days. This strait controls access to the Red Sea and Suez Canal, making it a critical chokepoint.
Saudi Arabia accuses Houthis of attacking Medina power infrastructure
Saudi Arabia accused Iran-backed Houthis of targeting civil infrastructure supplying electricity to the Prophet's Mosque in Medina on Tuesday morning. Medina and Mecca are Islam's two holiest cities, with Medina housing the tomb of Prophet Muhammad.
Multiple Muslim-majority nations condemn alleged Medina attack
Qatar, Turkey, Sudan, and Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo formally condemned the alleged Houthi attack on Medina's holy infrastructure. Qatar's Foreign Ministry called it a grave violation of Islam's sacred sites and provocation against Muslims. Al-Azhar rejected the attack, warning it threatens the security of the Prophet's city.
Oil prices surge above $100 per barrel following Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure
Oil prices climbed above the symbolic threshold of $100 per barrel following Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia's petroleum infrastructure. Saudi Arabia is the world's largest crude oil exporter.
Saudi Arabia conducts approximately 50 airstrikes on Yemen in response
Saudi Arabia launched approximately 50 airstrikes against Yemen within a 24-hour period in response to Houthi attacks. The strikes targeted various locations in the country, including the Houthis' stronghold in the northern region.
Government forces claim Houthi casualties in Taiz airstrikes
Yemeni government forces claimed to have recaptured certain positions in the Taiz region and stated that at least a dozen Houthi fighters were killed in airstrikes.
Hundreds killed and 86,000 displaced in recent Yemen fighting
Recent combat in western Yemen over the past several weeks resulted in hundreds of deaths and displaced approximately 86,000 people according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Saudi Crown Prince meets with U.S. Central Command commander
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, met with Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), in Jeddah to discuss recent regional developments.
Houthis gain control of Bab el-Mandeb Strait
The Houthi movement took control of the entire Yemeni coastline bordering the Red Sea after capturing the last islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategically critical waterway connecting Europe to Asia. The Houthis stated that navigation through the strait remains safe for all companies except Saudi vessels.
Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline halted following drone attacks from Iraq
Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline, a critical crude oil export route used to bypass the Strait of Hormuz blockade, was shut down following drone attacks originating from Iraq.
Iran denies involvement in Yemen conflict
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaïl Baghaï stated that Iran does not intervene in Yemeni affairs and characterized the Houthis as completely independent actors who make decisions based on their own interests.
Yemen conflict re-escalates following July regional spillover
Yemen entered the broader regional conflict in July 2026 following the U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran in late February. After years of relative calm, the country has experienced renewed escalation with major combat operations.
Houthis launch major attack on King Khalid Air Base in Saudi Arabia
The Houthi movement launched a large-scale attack on King Khalid Air Base at Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia using dozens of ballistic missiles and drones. A resident reported seeing numerous missiles strike the military base and hearing loud explosions, with fires burning for an extended period. The spokesperson claimed it was the first time such a large number of missiles had been deployed in a single attack.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Arab League and Muslim nations condemn Houthi actions amid alliance shifts
Arab League condemns Houthis; Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia mutual defense pact established amid Yemen escalation.
Saudi coalition intercepts Houthi strikes; Sanaa airstrikes escalate
Saudi coalition intercepts Houthi attacks; airstrikes on Sanaa as operations intensify.
Hundreds killed, 86,000 displaced in Yemen fighting resurgence
Hundreds killed, 86,000 displaced as Yemen conflict resumes after ceasefire collapse.
Saudi Arabia postpones Iran talks amid Yemen escalation
Saudi Arabia postpones Iran talks, deepens U.S. military ties amid Yemen conflict.
Houthis control Bab el-Mandeb, oil surges past $100
Houthi maritime control and energy infrastructure attacks drive oil above $100 and halt Saudi pipeline operations.
Yemen war resumed in July after three-year ceasefire collapse
Yemen's war resumed in July after ceasefire collapse, with Saudi Arabia continuing support and Houthis capturing key territory.
Houthis release 210 prisoners from Sanaa-controlled territory
Houthis release 210 prisoners from Sanaa-controlled detention areas.
Tens of thousands flee Yemen as fighting kills over 500
Over 76,000 Yemenis displaced since July as fighting kills 500-plus.
Trump signals diplomatic opening with Houthis as Saudi requests US strikes
US rejects Saudi strike request, explores Houthi dialogue instead.
Houthis consolidate Red Sea control, declare Saudi blockade
Houthis capture Red Sea territory and announce Saudi blockade amid escalating cross-border operations.
Yemen civil war erupts after years of relative stability
Yemen's civil war resumes after years of relative peace, displacing thousands.