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Saudi Arabia closes its East-West pipeline after attacks from Iraq
Riyadh announced the closure of its East-West Crude Oil Pipeline following drone attacks emanating from Iraq. The pipeline served as a critical oil export alternative to the Persian Gulf after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Top Islamic State spokesman killed in Yemen
Abu Hudhayfah al Ansari, who has been the official Islamic State spokesman for three years, was reported killed in a joint Saudi-Yemeni special forces raid in Hadhramaut Governorate. The Islamic State has yet to comment on Ansari’s status.
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Fighting in Yemen escalates, raising concern of a return to civil war
The Houthis launched drone and missile attacks on Yemeni forces and civilian infrastructure across three of Yemen’s governorates on August 6. The attacks have escalated fighting in the country while the Iran-backed terror group is simultaneously targeting Saudi Arabia and ships in the Red Sea.
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Houthis escalate attacks in Red Sea and on Saudi Arabia, Riyadh evaluates options
Yemen’s Houthis claimed attacks on eight Saudi-linked vessels as well as energy facilities and an airport to enforce its blockade of the kingdom. Saudi Arabia is reportedly pursuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate the conflict or military options if necessary.
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Houthis announce blockade of Saudi Arabia, ships reroute to avoid Bab al Mandeb Strait
The Houthis declared a complete maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, claiming it is in response to blockades imposed by the Saudi-led coalition that supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Saudi Arabia denounced the blockade and said it will protect its ships, but multiple commercial vessels have rerouted to avoid the Bab al Mandeb Strait.
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Saudi Arabia and Houthis trade attacks over restarting direct flights between Yemen and Iran
The Houthis and Iran attempted to resume direct flights between Tehran and Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen, in early July. On July 14, Saudi Arabia struck Sanaa International Airport to prevent one such flight, prompting the Houthis to launch missiles at Saudi Arabia in response.
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Pirate attacks on ships in the Gulf of Aden are on the rise
Since late April, armed attackers in small skiffs, using tactics consistent with pirates, have been attacking ships off Yemen’s southern coast and other waters around the Horn of Africa at a rate not seen since 2011, when piracy in the region was at its peak.
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Houthis attack Israel and announce ban on Israeli vessels in the Red Sea
The Houthis in Yemen launched two missiles at Israel and declared a blockade of Israeli vessels in the Red Sea on Monday. The Iran-backed terror group conducted this attack during waves of Iran’s own missile attacks against Israel.
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Houthis emphasize solidarity and coordination with Iran-led Axis of Resistance
The Houthis in Yemen reiterated support for their partners in the Iran-led Axis of Resistance, singling out Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. While leaving the door open to further involvement in the ongoing regional conflict, the group stopped short of saying it would join the fighting.
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Houthis portray steadfast support for Iran, reportedly consider Red Sea toll
The Houthis have reiterated support for Iran despite their limited involvement in the Islamic Republic’s recent war with Israel and the United States. The Yemeni terrorist group is also reportedly weighing a toll for the safe transit of ships in the Red Sea, a move it has implemented before.
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Yemen’s Houthis enter Iran war with drone and missile attacks on Israel
The Houthis launched missile and drone attacks against Israel, the first direct military action since the beginning of the US and Israeli campaign against Iran that began on February 28. The Iran-backed Yemeni terrorist group threatened to continue and expand attacks until a series of conditions it issued are met.
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Iran’s regional partners spark protests across the Middle East and South Asia
Tehran’s partners and sympathizers have arranged protests across the region against the US-Israeli campaign against Iran, especially the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Some of the demonstrations have turned violent and present a danger to the local US diplomatic presence and civilians.
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Houthis express solidarity with Iran but do not launch retaliatory attacks—yet
Houthi leader Abdulmalik al Houthi has delivered speeches in support of the Islamic Republic of Iran since the start of the US-Israeli military campaign, but he has not yet announced specific retaliatory military action. Instead, the Houthis have officially called for mass demonstrations and increased media activity in support of the regime. However, officials from the Iran-backed group have told media outlets that it will resume attacks against Israel and Red Sea shipping.
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Houthis escalate attacks against Yemeni government-aligned forces
The Houthis have mobilized personnel and attacked opposition forces along important domestic frontlines in recent weeks. The Iran-backed terrorist group also appears to be preparing for an emergency, and it is uncertain if this effort is related to domestic activity or potential US strikes on Iran.
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UAE forces to depart Yemen after Saudi demands, strikes
The United Arab Emirates announced the withdrawal of its forces from Yemen after demands for their departure from Saudi and select Yemeni leaders and Saudi airstrikes targeting Yemeni separatist groups. The UAE forces previously served in a counterterrorism capacity as part of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as their respective local partners, are renegotiating the balance of power in Yemen after southern separatist forces captured the country’s eastern territory.
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Southern Transitional Council seizes key areas of Yemen’s Hadramawt Governorate from rival government forces
Forces aligned with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which controls much of southern Yemen and advocates for the region’s secession, advanced into key areas in Hadramawt governorate. The STC, which is part of the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG), clashed with rival government forces in the large, resource-rich Yemeni province following rising tensions with a Hadramawt tribal leader, Sheikh Amr Bin Habriesh.
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UAE ‘likely’ building airstrip on strategic island in Red Sea
Satellite imagery shows an airstrip under construction on Zuqar Island, a strategic location in the Red Sea that is under the control of the National Resistance Forces (NRF), an anti-Houthi partner of the UAE. The UAE has reportedly been behind the development of a series of airstrips across strategic locations in and around the Red and Arabian Seas.
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Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula kills 4 Yemeni soldiers in complex suicide assault
The attack targeted the headquarters of the 1st Support and Reinforcement Brigade, which is part of the alliance of pro-government forces in southern Yemen. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula remains active in the south, despite setbacks.
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Houthis signal pause in attacks on Israel after Gaza ceasefire, detail attacks during the conflict
Yemen’s Houthis have indicated that they will stop their attacks on Israel and shipping in international waters as long as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is in place. The group also announced the death of its military chief of staff and provided summary statistics of attacks conducted during the war.
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Israeli military targets Yemeni capital in response to Houthi drone attacks on Israel
Israel targeted Houthi infrastructure in Sanaa, Yemen, in response to drone attacks on Eilat, Israel. According to the Houthi-controlled health ministry, the strikes killed eight and injured 142.
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Reciprocal attacks between Houthis and Israel continue
The Houthis have conducted near-daily attacks on Israel throughout September, including launching a drone that struck Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport. Israel has responded with frequent strikes in Houthi territory, including one on September 10 that caused significant casualties.
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Israel kills 12 top officials in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled government
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it killed 12 Houthi political leaders in an assassination strike that targeted a meeting in Sanaa on August 28. The successful attack indicates that the IDF has improved its intelligence efforts in Yemen.
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Israel strikes Sanaa amid continuing Houthi missile launches against Israel
Israel launched attacks against the Houthis’ military and economic infrastructure and attempted assassinations of the group’s key leaders this week. Some sources in Yemen claim that Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al Rahawi was killed, but this information is unconfirmed.
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Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula donates aid to Gaza residents
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) donated aid to Palestinians in Gaza who have been affected by the war. A spokesperson for Ahrar Beit al Maqdis thanked AQAP for the donations and praised former Al Qaeda emir Osama Bin Laden.
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Yemeni officials seize weapons sent to Houthis
Yemeni forces seized a shipment of weapons that originated in China and was bound for the Houthis, marking the second major weapons interception this summer. The seized shipments indicate the Yemeni terrorist group’s efforts to rearm.
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Houthis continue to attack education in Yemen
The Houthis are forcing their ideology into schools and arresting noncompliant teachers. The Iran-backed terrorists have targeted children in the hopes they grow up fully indoctrinated and become loyal Houthi followers.
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Houthis resume deadly Red Sea shipping attacks
The Houthis resumed targeting Red Sea shipping with two attacks on commercial vessels that killed three crew members and injured two more. The Yemeni terrorist group had not targeted commercial shipping in over half a year.
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Treasury targets Houthi oil revenue, building on US sanctions against the group
In late June, the US Treasury Department sanctioned the largest group of Houthi-connected entities, individuals, and vessels so far. The action targets oil importations and sales, which are a key revenue source for the Yemeni terrorist group. It is the latest move to limit the Houthis’ finances since the Trump administration re-designated them as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on March 4.
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Houthis repeat threats against US over strikes against Iran
The Houthis threatened to attack US forces after American strikes against Iran. A ceasefire has been in place between the US and the Houthis since May 6, following a seven-week campaign by US Central Command (CENTCOM) against the Yemeni terrorist group.
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The Houthis join Iran’s attacks on Israel
Yemen’s Houthis have continued their campaign against Israel, but now in coordination with and support of Iran. Other Iranian proxies within the Tehran-led Axis of Resistance have chosen not to involve themselves in the conflict openly and directly, so far. Israel carried out a targeted strike in Yemen in response to Houthi attacks.
