Saudi-backed coalition intensifies Yemen campaign, says 136 Houthi military targets destroyed
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتساب
The Saudi-backed coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government says it has destroyed 136 military targets in Houthi-controlled territory, marking a further escalation in a broad campaign launched earlier this month against the Iran-aligned group.
The latest strikes follow the Yemeni government’s announcement on October 4, 2026, that it had begun a major offensive to retake territory held by the Houthis. Presidential Leadership Council chief Rashad al-Alimi said at the launch that government forces would continue operations aimed at restoring state control.
The coalition says the latest attacks were directed at military facilities and positions in Houthi-held areas. The full scale of the damage and casualties could not be independently verified from the initial statements.
Government forces have also reported gains along Yemen’s western coast. On October 8, they announced control of the Kahboub mountain area overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, following advances around the strategically important shipping corridor.
The escalation has unfolded alongside renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. Three people were killed in attacks on Saudi airports on October 7, while a day later reports said an aircraft was damaged at Riyadh airport. The coalition warned that the attacks would not go unanswered.
The Houthis have controlled the capital, Sanaa, and large parts of northwestern Yemen for years. Saudi Arabia backs Yemen’s internationally recognized government, while the Houthis are aligned with Iran. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait has become a central focus of the renewed fighting because of its importance to global shipping between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
