Yemen Forces Strike Houthi Targets in Sanaa and Saada as Fighting Escalates

Yemen’s armed forces said they launched strikes against Houthi targets in the capital Sanaa and the northern stronghold of Saada early Sunday, adding to a sharp escalation in the country’s conflict.

A spokesperson for forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government said the strikes targeted what he called “vital targets.” He did not provide further details about the locations or damage.

The Houthis, meanwhile, reported an airstrike on Sanaa and attributed it to Saudi Arabia. Riyadh had not immediately confirmed the claim.

Fighting Intensifies Across Yemen

The latest strikes come after several days of increased military activity between the Houthis and forces backed by Saudi Arabia.

The two sides largely observed a truce after a 2022 UN-brokered ceasefire reduced cross-border fighting. However, hostilities have intensified again this year amid the wider conflict involving Iran and the United States.

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Yemeni government forces said earlier that they had carried out 20 airstrikes in Taiz province. The attacks reportedly targeted Houthi personnel, vehicles, movements and military equipment.

The renewed fighting has also affected roads and civilian movement in Taiz, where authorities have designated several routes as military operational areas.

Saudi Arabia Faces Growing Houthi Threat

The escalation follows Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and shipping. The group also declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July, according to recent reports.

Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen while supporting government forces on the ground.

The Saudi-led coalition has also accused the Houthis of attacking a power distribution station in Medina that supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque. The Houthis denied responsibility for that incident.

The latest confrontation represents the most serious fighting between the sides since the 2022 truce.

Wider Regional Conflict Adds Pressure

The Yemen escalation is unfolding alongside the broader conflict between Iran and the United States.

The Houthis have long maintained close ties with Iran, while Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s internationally recognised government. The renewed fighting has therefore added another front to an already volatile regional crisis.

Reuters has reported that Saudi Arabia is considering a major military offensive aimed at reversing recent Houthi gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and restoring control over the Bab el-Mandeb shipping route. The plans remain subject to change, according to officials familiar with the preparations.

The developments have raised fresh concerns about the security of the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, a key maritime route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

Further escalation could increase risks for civilians, shipping and regional stability as Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces prepare for a potentially wider confrontation.