Saudi–Houthi war: latest events

Story so far

1. 24 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Houthi encirclement of Taiz deepens aid crisis as Saudi airport attack kills one

   On Friday a hospital in Taiz warned it could collapse within days because of shortages of fuel, medicines and oxygen under the Houthi siege. On Thursday the UN said more than 800,000 people have been cut off from aid since the Houthis encircled Taiz city in early October. Earlier, an attack on King Fahd airport in Saudi Arabia killed one person and injured eight, and the US ordered personnel to leave Saudi Arabia, citing Houthi hostilities.

   Hospital in Yemen's Taiz warns of collapse within days due to Houthi…

2. 23 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   UN warns time is running out to reach Taiz as Houthi encirclement cuts off aid

   On Friday the UN said more than 800,000 people have been cut off from aid since the Houthis encircled Taiz city in early October. Earlier in the week, Yemeni government forces launched hundreds of strikes on Houthi locations around Taiz, and the UN says nearly 260,000 people are displaced. Separately, an attack on King Fahd airport in Dammam killed one person and injured eight, and Saudi Arabia has scrapped events in the region after a deadly strike on Riyadh airport.

   UN says time running out to reach Yemen's Taiz as Houthi… · Qatar MotoGP to go ahead despite regional tensions after deadly…

3. 22 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Attack on Dammam's King Fahd airport kills one as US orders personnel out of Saudi Arabia

   An attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam killed one person and injured eight, early on Thursday. This followed a US order on Wednesday for personnel to leave Saudi Arabia, with the State Department saying the Houthis have "increasingly engaged in hostilities" against the kingdom. In Yemen, government forces launched hundreds of strikes on Houthi locations around Taiz, where the UN says nearly 260,000 people are displaced and residents face food and water shortages under a Houthi blockade.

   Fighting rages in Yemen's Taiz as UN says nearly 260,000 displaced · Newborn twins fight for survival as fighting fuels Yemen's hunger… · Yemenis face severe food and water shortages in Taiz amid Houthi…

4. 21 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Mass funeral held in Yemen for 75 recruits killed in Houthi missile strike

   On Wednesday a mass funeral was held in southern Yemen for 75 recruits killed in a Houthi missile strike on a training camp. Earlier, a blast was heard in Aden after the Houthis said they attacked a military camp with a ballistic missile. Aid groups warn of a worsening situation in Taiz, which Houthi forces have largely encircled. French President Macron made an unscheduled visit to Riyadh to show solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

   Yemen holds mass funeral for 75 recruits killed in Houthi missile… · Aid workers warn Taiz on verge of 'unmanageable' crisis as Houthis… · Macron makes surprise 'solidarity' visit to Saudi Arabia over Houthi…

5. 20 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Houthis besiege Taiz as UNHCR reports over 250,000 displaced in Yemen

   On Tuesday, the Houthis cut road access to Taiz, and officials warned of an impending humanitarian disaster. UNHCR said more than 250,000 people have been displaced, and UNICEF said fighting in Taiz threatens water systems serving about three million people. Government forces launched offensives on several front lines, and the Shabwa death toll is rising after Monday's Houthi missile attack on a military camp that killed at least 18, according to a government forces spokesman. The UK is to deploy RAF Typhoons to defend Saudi cities and infrastructure from Houthi missiles and drones.

   More than 250,000 displaced in Yemen since fighting escalated, UNHCR… · Yemen's Taiz faces deadly siege as Shabwa death toll rises · Houthis cut road access to Taiz, besieging Yemeni city

6. 19 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Houthi missiles kill at least 18 at a military camp in Shabwa, Yemen

   On Monday, Houthis fired ballistic missiles at a camp in Shabwa governorate during a training exercise, killing at least 18, a government forces spokesman said. Egypt's parliament adjourned without voting on military support for Saudi Arabia, and an opposition party told its members to abstain, citing an unclear commitment. Fighting continues around Taiz, where Saudi-led forces say they struck Houthi positions on Sunday to break the siege.

   At least 18 killed in Houthi missile attack on military camp in… · Egyptian parliament delays vote on military support for Saudi Arabia · Reports of Iranian support for Houthis probed as Yemen war re-erupts…

7. 18 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Gulf states condemn Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as Yemen fighting intensifies

   Gulf Cooperation Council ministers condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia on Sunday and urged action against the group. Fighting across Yemen is intensifying, with casualties on both sides, and Saudi-led forces say they struck Houthi positions around Taiz to break the siege. Egypt's defense chiefs pledged support for Saudi Arabia after President Sisi sought authorisation for military assistance, which he said would be defensive.

   Fighting intensifies across Yemen as humanitarian crisis deepens · Saudi-led forces strike Houthi positions around Taiz to break siege · GCC condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as Yemen fighting…

8. 17 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Saudi-led forces down four drones as Egypt weighs help and UAE re-enters Yemen

   On Saturday, Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted and destroyed four drones over Riyadh, the Eastern Province and the south, and Egypt is reported to be weighing sending help. Egypt's president Sisi pledged 'any measure' to help defend Saudi Arabia 'if it is requested of us'. Fighting around Taiz intensified, with the civilian toll worsening, and the UAE reportedly agreed with Saudi Arabia to resume payments to some Yemeni government forces in return for Saudi air cover.

   Yemen fighting rages as Houthis press Taiz and civilian toll worsens · Healthcare crisis escalating in Yemen's besieged Taiz · Saudi-led coalition intercepts four drones over Riyadh, Eastern…

9. 16 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Yemen says Houthis fired two missiles at Aden airport as Saudi sporting events are cancelled

   On Friday, Yemen's government said the Houthis fired two missiles at Aden airport. It also claimed advances in Marib and said it neutralised 430 Houthi fighters in 24 hours. A BMX qualifier for the 2028 Olympics in Saudi Arabia was cancelled on Friday after deadly missile attacks from Yemen, and Saudi Arabia called the Houthi attacks 'full-fledged war crimes' while the US warned of possible attacks on Saudi airports. The escalation follows Thursday's missile strike on the presidential palace in Aden and earlier hits on Saudi targets.

   Houthis fire two missiles at Aden airport, Yemeni government says · Saudi-hosted 2028 Olympics BMX qualifier cancelled after Riyadh… · Former Yemeni PM warns fall of Taiz to Houthis would threaten…

Written by Claude from the reports on this page and on the map. Check the linked sources for full details.