Saudi-Led Coalition Intercepts Four Drones as Yemen Tensions Rise

The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted and destroyed four drones heading towards Saudi Arabia early Wednesday, as tensions continued to rise across the region.

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki announced the interceptions on X. He said coalition forces carried out operations in Madinah and the Eastern Province.

In a separate statement, al-Maliki confirmed that forces had also intercepted and destroyed a drone heading towards the Eastern Province.

Yemen Orders Freeze on Houthi-Linked Assets

Meanwhile, Yemen’s central bank has ordered financial institutions to freeze the accounts and assets of 135 individuals, entities and vessels linked to the Houthi group, the government-run SABA news agency reported on Tuesday.

The Aden-based bank issued the directive under an October 19 order from the public prosecutor. The order designated those listed and instructed authorities to freeze their assets over alleged links to the Houthis.

The measures also prohibit financial and commercial dealings with the listed individuals and entities. Banks and exchange companies cannot open new accounts for them or conduct transactions on their behalf.

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Authorities have instructed financial institutions to identify and report relevant accounts, assets and money transfers. They must submit the information to Yemen’s financial intelligence and anti-money laundering authorities.

According to SABA, the list includes Houthi political, military and security officials, businessmen, a company and five oil tankers. Yemeni authorities identified the tankers as vessels involved in smuggling. However, the agency did not publish the names on the list.

On October 11, Yemen’s internationally recognised government approved a draft law that would designate the Houthis as a “terrorist organisation.” The proposed legislation would also criminalise the group’s activities and financing. The government called for the legal and constitutional steps needed to enact the law.

EU Considers More Support for Yemen

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc was exploring ways to increase support for Yemen’s government. She also reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to back mediation efforts aimed at restarting meaningful political negotiations.

Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Kallas said the EU was reviewing options to strengthen its assistance. She cited escalating Houthi attacks and deteriorating regional security.

“We also stand ready to support all mediation efforts to resume meaningful political negotiations. Escalation will leave everyone worse off,” Kallas said.

She urged the parties involved to help end Houthi attacks. Kallas also called on the group to re-engage with the United Nations-led mediation process.

EU Naval Mission Faces Resource Constraints

Kallas highlighted the role of the EU’s Operation Aspides in protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. She said the mission had escorted hundreds of commercial vessels to safety since its launch in response to Houthi attacks.

However, the operation faces limits on its capacity. Kallas said many companies had requested protection, but the EU lacked enough ships to meet every request.

She stressed that Operation Aspides aims to protect commercial vessels and European trade interests, not to take part in the war.

The EU will also continue supporting the Yemeni Coast Guard and maritime authorities in the region, including in Djibouti. Kallas said this support would help combat arms smuggling.

Addressing calls to designate the Houthis as a terrorist organisation at the EU level, she noted that such a decision would require the agreement of all member states.

Yemen Conflict Continues

The developments come amid continued fighting between the Houthis and forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which receives support from the Saudi-led coalition.

Yemen’s conflict escalated in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and large parts of the country’s north. The prolonged war has since fuelled instability and raised wider concerns about regional security and maritime trade.