Yemeni Government Forces Retake Ground in Taiz as Houthis Claim Strikes on Saudi Airbase

Key points

• Yemeni government forces advanced in western Taiz on Sunday after repelling a Houthi offensive, with support from airstrikes targeting Houthi gatherings in Mocha and Dhubab.
• The Houthis claimed to have attacked King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia, using dozens of ballistic missiles and drones, targeting aircraft hangars, radar installations, and ammunition depots.
• The Houthi attacks were described as a response to a Saudi offensive that included more than 300 airstrikes across Yemen over five days.
• Saudi civil defence agencies issued alerts for Abha and Khamis Mushait on Sunday but quickly lifted them; Saudi Arabia has not officially commented on the Houthi claims.
• The International Organization for Migration reported that recent fighting in Yemen has displaced nearly 86,000 people, with over 2,000 fleeing to Djibouti.
• Houthi fighters have been deployed on the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, located about 160km north of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, strengthening their control over a key waterway for global trade.

Background

The current escalation follows a broader pattern of intensifying conflict in Yemen, where the Houthis have previously captured strategic locations like Perim Island and Mocha, threatening the Bab al-Mandeb strait. Earlier in 2026, Houthi drone strikes targeted Saudi energy facilities, including an Aramco refinery in Jizan, and attacks on Saudi Red Sea pipelines disrupted oil exports. The conflict reignited in July 2026 after the Houthis declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, breaking a UN-brokered truce that had halted large-scale violence since 2022. The ongoing crisis has been exacerbated by the effective blocking of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces since February 2026, increasing the strategic importance of the Red Sea for global oil and LNG shipments.

Why it matters

The advancing government forces in Taiz and Houthi strikes on Saudi infrastructure signal a potential escalation in the Yemen civil war, which has been dormant since 2022. The Houthi control of strategic islands near the Bab al-Mandeb strait threatens global trade routes, particularly as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked by Iranian forces. The displacement of nearly 86,000 people and the flight of over 2,000 to Djibouti highlight the severe humanitarian impact of the conflict. The situation also risks drawing in regional powers, including Iran, and could lead to a broader regional instability, affecting global energy markets and maritime security.

What to watch

The next 24-48 hours will likely see continued clashes in Taiz and potential further Houthi strikes on Saudi targets, as the Houthis claim their attacks were a response to Saudi airstrikes. Saudi Arabia may respond to the Houthi claims with additional military action or diplomatic measures. The international community, including the UN, may increase humanitarian aid to displaced populations in Yemen and Djibouti. The Houthi control of the Hanish islands could lead to further maritime tensions, potentially affecting global trade routes and oil shipments. The situation may also prompt increased diplomatic efforts to broker a new truce or ceasefire, given the humanitarian crisis and regional instability.