Saudi Arabia and Yemeni forces launched a major offensive against Iran-backed Houthis on October 6, 2026, aiming to reclaim the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and secure Red Sea shipping routes, as the conflict escalated with reported casualties and international military support.
Saudi Arabia and Yemeni forces initiated a large-scale military operation against Iran-backed Houthi rebels on October 6, 2026, targeting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—a critical maritime chokepoint—to disrupt the Houthis’ control over Red Sea shipping lanes. The offensive, described as a strategic offensive
by Yemeni authorities, follows months of escalating tensions and Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, including airports and oil facilities. The operation, led by Yemeni ground forces with Saudi air support, aims to reverse the Houthis’ recent territorial gains along Yemen’s western coast.
Military Operations Intensify
The offensive, announced by Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, involves over 100,000 Yemeni troops mobilized for potential multi-front operations, according to reports from Reuters. Saudi-backed forces targeted Houthi positions in the Tihama region, including the strategic port of Mokha, which the Houthis had captured in early September. A Saudi-led coalition claimed to have intercepted ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait, while Yemeni officials reported capturing key coastal areas, including the Dhubab airstrip, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. However, the Houthis denied territorial losses, asserting they had repelled advances in areas like al-Waziiya in Taiz.
The conflict has seen intense fighting in southwest Yemen, particularly around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with both sides reporting significant casualties. According to the AFP, over 270 government troops and Houthi fighters were killed in 24 hours of fighting, while Saudi authorities confirmed attacks on Jazan and Najran airports, injuring three people. The Houthis claimed responsibility for strikes on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and an Aramco refinery in Rabigh, though Saudi officials did not independently verify these claims.
International Alliances and Support
Saudi Arabia has secured military backing from Pakistan and Turkey, to counter Houthi threats. France announced plans to send defensive systems and troops to protect Saudi Red Sea ports, including Yanbu. The U.S., while not directly involved in ground operations, has provided intelligence and targeting support to Saudi and Yemeni forces, according to The Maritime Executive.
Pakistan has deployed between 30,000 and 40,000 troops to Saudi Arabia to assist with missile and drone interceptions, according to a Pakistani official. The troops arrived in waves beginning last year and following the latest escalation, the official said. Pakistan has not decided to send troops into Yemen in a combat role, the official added. The U.S. has also maintained a presence in Saudi Arabia, with reports indicating substantial intelligence and target acquisition staff supporting Royal Saudi Air Force efforts.
Casualties and Humanitarian Impact
Fighting has displaced over 184,000 people, according to AFP, with humanitarian groups warning of a deepening crisis. The Houthis’ control over key coastal areas has disrupted global energy flows, as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a vital corridor for oil shipments between the Mediterranean and Asia. Yemen’s government has accused the Houthis of targeting civilian infrastructure, including bridges and airports, which the rebels deny, calling such claims completely untrue.
The Houthis have also targeted Saudi cities, with a spokesman alleging that Saudi forces struck civilian sites in Sana’a, Saada, and Taiz. The Saudi-led coalition has countered by attacking Houthi missile launch sites, including in Sanaa and Saada, as part of efforts to neutralize the group’s capabilities. The conflict has also seen the use of drones and ballistic missiles, with both sides accusing each other of violating international law.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) reported attacks on Jazan and Najran airports, with the authority working to ensure facility safety. The Houthis’ health ministry claimed a Saudi air strike killed six members of a family, including four children, in Hajjah governorate.
Unanswered Questions
The long-term success of the Saudi-Yemeni offensive remains uncertain, as Yemeni forces face challenges in coordinating operations and maintaining supply lines. The role of Iran in supplying the Houthis continues to be a point of contention, with Saudi officials accusing Tehran of fueling the conflict.
As the fighting continues, the international community remains divided on how to address the crisis. While Saudi Arabia and its allies push for a military solution, concerns about civilian casualties and regional instability persist. The situation in Yemen, already one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, risks further escalation, with the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the center of a broader geopolitical struggle.