A series of airstrikes slammed into a central city market in the southwestern Yemeni city of Taiz, killing seven people and injuring 40 others. The attack was reported by the Houthi-backed Al-Masirah TV channel and cited by AFP, unfolding just minutes after reports of Saudi fighter jets targeting the area.
The Red Sea Offensive and Territorial Control
This bloodshed marks a sharp escalation in a conflict that reignited in July, shattering years of relative calm as wider Middle Eastern tensions boiled over. The fighting intensified dramatically in September when Houthi forces launched a rapid offensive, seizing control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline—including the crucial Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Energy Blockades and Drone Interceptions Over Riyadh
On the economic and aerial front, Houthi fighters have tightened a blockade on Saudi energy shipments, compounding restrictions already triggered by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi authorities pushed back against the cross-border assault, announcing on Saturday that air defense units intercepted two Houthi drones targeting the capital city of Riyadh.
Precautionary School Closures in the Saudi Capital
The drone attacks forced swift precautionary measures across Riyadh. Local schools abruptly shifted to remote learning for one week. Parents learned of the sudden transition through email messages reviewed by AFP, though officials withheld any detailed rationale in the notices.
Frontline Strains and a 27-Strike Aerial Campaign
On the ground, Taiz remains a major urban stronghold held by Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Straddling the volatile frontline between state troops and Houthi forces, government forces have failed to push back recent Houthi advances despite sustained support from Saudi.
Detailing the scope of the counter-offensive, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree reported on Saturday that the Saudi air force carried out 27 separate airstrikes. The raids pounded multiple provinces, hitting Taiz, Marib, Saada, Amran, Ibb, and Hajjah.