Yemen government offensive a month on has settled into attrition warfare with Houthis

▲ Escalating

Coalition says it intercepted Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Medina

On Thursday a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition said a ballistic missile fired at Medina was intercepted, after Saudi civil defence had warned of potential danger around the port of Yanbu. A report published Thursday says the Yemeni government offensive, now a month old, has settled into attrition warfare, with the Houthis taking losses but also inflicting casualties on government forces and on Saudi Arabia. On Wednesday government forces claimed control of the al-Dahida heights in al-Jawf, and fighting was reported to be escalating in al-Dhalea, Lahij and Taiz.

• Government forces claim the strategic al-Dahida heights in the al-Jawf range, and fighting is widening to al-Dhalea, Lahij and Taiz.
• A monthlong Houthi blockade of Taiz is blocking food, water, fuel and medical supplies, prompting warnings of a catastrophe, and thousands have fled fighting nearby.
• Yemen's interior minister accuses Iran's IRGC and Hezbollah of sending 21 experts to the Houthis, saying foreign involvement now extends to directing military operations.
• The Asian Cup has been postponed to December 2027 because of unrest in host nation Saudi Arabia, according to a report.