Houthis Halt Government Advance in Yemen, Strike Saudi Airports

Key points

• Houthi forces advanced toward Taiz and fired missiles at Aden airport, forcing a flight diversion and raising safety concerns.
• Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports, resulting in three deaths and 36 injuries in Saudi Arabia.
• The Institute for the Study of War updated its analysis, stating Houthi forces on the coastal plain are no longer collapsing as previously thought.
• US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the US rejected Saudi requests for direct military strikes against the Houthis, prioritizing the Iran conflict.
• Yemeni government forces claimed 2,103 strikes and the neutralization of 1,860 Houthi fighters during the 'Dawn of Yemen' operation.

Background

This escalation follows a significant Houthi offensive in September 2026 that captured the Red Sea coastline and defeated over 15 government-aligned brigades. Previous reports indicated Saudi strategy was unraveling due to weak coalition cohesion and limited Western support. Recent efforts by government forces to reclaim high ground in Taiz province were part of a broader attempt to secure the Bab al-Mandab strait, which had been a primary target of the government's offensive launched earlier this month.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and Al Jazeera report on the tactical stalemate, with the Guardian highlighting the danger to Aden airport and the Institute for the Study of War’s revised assessment of Houthi resilience. Al Jazeera emphasizes the diplomatic dimension, noting the US rejection of Saudi requests for military aid and the Jordanian condemnation of the attacks. AP News provides a broader regional context, linking the Yemen conflict to the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran and noting that oil prices slipped to $100 a barrel due to emergency stock releases. While government forces claim significant casualties among Houthis, independent observers and the ISW suggest the government's advances have stalled, contradicting earlier claims of a Houthi collapse.

Why it matters

The Houthi ability to halt government advances and strike Saudi infrastructure highlights the fragility of the Saudi-backed government's position in Yemen. The US refusal to provide direct military support to Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, due to its focus on Iran, leaves Riyadh reliant on limited intelligence and targeted assistance. This dynamic risks prolonging the conflict and destabilizing the Red Sea corridor, a critical global trade route.

What to watch

The situation may escalate further if Houthi forces capture Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city. The US and Saudi Arabia may continue to provide limited support, but without direct military intervention, the government's ability to reverse Houthi gains is uncertain. Diplomatic efforts involving Iran and Qatar may become more prominent as the military stalemate persists.