81 Attacks in Yemen: Return to Full-Scale War Looms as Houthis Strike Saudi Arabia

TL/DR –

Government forces have executed 81 attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen, indicating a potential return to full-scale warfare in the region. The Houthis, in retaliation, carried out two drone attacks in Saudi Arabia’s Najran province, targeting an airport and an Aramco facility. While there has been a significant escalation in conflict in Yemen over the past month, no large-scale offensive operations have been reported on either side yet.

Government Forces Ramp Up Attacks in Yemen – Houthi Drones Target Saudi Arabia

In the last 24 hours, government forces executed 81 attacks, while Houthis claim to have targeted two sites in Saudi Arabia’s Najran province.

Yemen government forces have launched dozens of strikes on Houthi positions, indicating a possible return to large-scale conflict. 81 attacks in the past 24 hours have led to several Houthi fighters and field commanders being neutralized, according to government spokesperson Majed Abdullah al-Nuzaili.

Further, Houthis have claimed responsibility for two drone strikes on targets in Saudi’s Najran province, hitting a Najran airport and an Aramco facility. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the success of these attacks. No immediate confirmation has been received from Saudi Arabia.

Supporters of the Houthis, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that the increasing Houthi attacks could become uncontrollable for Saudi Arabia. Following a naval blockade on the country in July, the Houthis have frequently targeted Saudi infrastructure and shipping.

The Yemen government, currently based in Aden, accuses the Houthis of imposing a similar blockade on Yemen, disrupting the country’s oil exports. Over the past month, intensified fighting has been reported across Yemen, resulting in many Houthi casualties.

Reports of missile and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure, including ports and airports, are coming from across the front lines. However, no massive offensive operations have been reported by either side yet.

Looking back, in 2014, the Houthis took control over a significant portion of the country, leading to years of conflict with the Yemen government and a Saudi-led international coalition. A United Nations-brokered truce in 2022 mostly halted the fighting, but the recent surge in attacks suggest a looming return to full-scale war.

With 18 million Yemenis currently facing food insecurity, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk urged both sides to stop actions that could escalate the conflict. In a related incident, the UK’s maritime security monitor reported a tanker being boarded and diverted towards Somalia by six armed individuals off Yemen’s coast.

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