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.
12 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
Saudi Arabia reports Houthi projectile strike near border
A Houthi projectile fell in an area near the Saudi-Yemeni border on Saturday night, resulting in two injuries and material damage to a mosque, several buildings, and vehicles.
1,400 Yemeni refugees flee to Djibouti
Approximately 1,400 people fled from Yemen to Djibouti, according to Djibouti's minister of economy and finance Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh.
Over 76,000 people flee Yemen fighting since July
The UN's migration agency reported that 76,000 people had fled the fighting in Yemen since July, a figure that had quadrupled in the previous week.
Houthis attack Saudi military base with drones and missiles
Houthi fighters attacked the Sharurah military base in southern Saudi Arabia using drones and missiles, targeting weapons depots and command and control centers according to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree.
Yemeni government forces conduct airstrikes on Houthi positions
The Yemeni Air Force conducted three airstrikes targeting Houthi positions and barracks in the Taiz region on Sunday, as part of renewed military operations against the Iran-allied Houthi group.
Yemen civil war resumed in July after 2022 ceasefire
Yemen's civil war, which began in 2014 with the Houthi capture of the capital Sana'a, had been dormant since a ceasefire in 2022 but resumed fighting in July following a week-long Houthi offensive.
Houthis capture remainder of Yemen's Red Sea coast and strategic islands
Following a week-long offensive, Houthi forces captured the remainder of Yemen's Red Sea coast and several strategic islands, cementing their control over the Bab al-Mandab strait at the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
Trump says Houthis have contacted US, expressed no desire to fight
US President Donald Trump stated that the Houthis had contacted him and that they do not want to fight with the United States, though he did not elaborate on potential US actions or provide specifics about the contact.
Houthis capture Mocha, displacing residents
Houthi forces captured the port city of Mocha on Thursday, forcing residents to flee to Aden where the internationally recognized Yemeni government is based.
Saudi crown prince requests US strikes on Houthis, request rejected
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called US President Donald Trump twice last week requesting US military strikes against the Houthis, but the requests were rejected.
Report of projectile strike on vessel in Strait of Hormuz
The British navy-affiliated agency UKMTO reported that a projectile hit a vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. The extent of damage and crew status were unknown at the time of reporting.
Houthis claim 129 Saudi airstrikes in 48 hours
The Houthi group reported that Saudi Arabian aircraft conducted 129 airstrikes over a 48-hour period on areas under their control.
Houthis declare maritime blockade of Saudi Red Sea ports
The Houthi group declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea ports, restricting shipping access to major Saudi export infrastructure.
Over 500 killed in renewed Yemen fighting
The renewed fighting between Houthis and Yemeni government forces has killed more than 500 people according to sources on both sides.
Saudi Arabia entered Yemen war in 2015 supporting government forces
Saudi Arabia first entered Yemen's civil war in 2015 on the side of Yemen's internationally recognized government and continues to support the Aden-based administration.
Houthis free 210 prisoners from captured areas
In Yemen's capital Sana'a, Houthis freed 210 prisoners who had been held in areas that fell under Houthi control. Some prisoners had been detained for up to eight years.
Saudi Arabia conducts airstrikes on Mokha airport
Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes targeting Mokha airport in an attempt to halt the Houthi advance as the group captured the strategic port city.
UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on Yemen situation
The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Thursday to address the deteriorating situation in Yemen. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg called for active engagement from the Council to avoid 'the precipice toward a much more dangerous conflict'.
Houthis announce navigation restrictions for Saudi vessels
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree declared that maritime navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb strait would remain safe for all commercial shipping except Saudi Arabian vessels, which were already prohibited from accessing the waterway.
Houthis capture Bab el-Mandeb strait in rapid offensive
Houthi forces captured the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait in the Red Sea through a rapid offensive, seizing control of key coastal positions and islands including Mokha port, Mayyoun island (also known as Perim), and the Hanich islands. The offensive lasted approximately 72 hours and gave the Houthis control over the entire Yemeni western coastline of the Red Sea.
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.