Yemen conflict escalates as government and Houthis exchange heavy strikes

The conflict in Yemen has intensified sharply, with the internationally recognised government and Houthi rebels exchanging heavy attacks over the past 24 hours. Government spokesperson Majed Abdullah al-Nuzaili stated that forces carried out 81 attacks on Houthi positions, resulting in the “neutralisation” of a number of fighters and field commanders. These strikes mark the latest sign that a return to full-scale war may be approaching after a period of relative calm.

In response, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced that the group launched two drone attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia’s Najran province, which sits just across the border from Yemen. Saree claimed the drones “successfully” hit a target at Najran airport and an Aramco facility. However, there was no immediate confirmation of these specific attacks from Saudi Arabia.

The escalating exchanges come as the Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi infrastructure and shipping since declaring a naval blockade on the country in July. Yemen’s government, based in Aden, has accused the Houthis of attempting to impose a blockade on Yemen and halting the country’s oil exports. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which supports the Houthis, warned on Thursday that Saudi Arabia would be “unable to contain” the rebels as they ramp up attacks on the kingdom.

Fighting has intensified over the past month, with the government reporting hundreds of operations against the Houthis. While no large-scale offensive operations have yet been reported by either side, exchanges of fire and drone attacks have been reported across nearly the entire frozen front line. Both sides have also reported carrying out missile and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure deep behind front lines, including ports and airports.

The current escalation threatens to undo the progress made by a United Nations-brokered truce in 2022, which largely brought fighting to a halt after the Houthis overran much of the country, including the capital Sanaa, in 2014. The humanitarian stakes remain high, with at least 18 million people in Yemen lacking reliable access to enough food, according to the UN.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk urged both sides to “spare the Yemeni people from further misery” and to “halt immediately any actions that risk returning Yemen to full-scale conflict.” Additionally, the United Kingdom’s maritime security monitor reported that a tanker was boarded off the coast of Yemen by six armed people, who diverted it towards Somalia.