Yemen’s government forces have launched strikes against Houthi targets in the capital Sanaa, the northwestern province of Saada and Taiz in the southwest, military spokesman Colonel Majid al-Nuzaili said.
The strikes targeted what the military described as Houthi positions and strategic military sites in the three areas. The latest escalation comes as fighting between Yemen’s internationally recognised government and the Iran-backed Houthi group intensifies across several fronts.
The government, based in Aden, controls large parts of southern and eastern Yemen, while the Houthis maintain control over Sanaa and significant areas in the north and west.
The latest strikes followed a Houthi claim that the group had targeted an oil facility near Riyadh with ballistic missiles and drones. Smoke and flames were reportedly seen near an Aramco facility south of the Saudi capital, although Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the Houthi claim.
Houthi-affiliated media also reported Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa and parts of Saada. The reports said dozens of strikes had hit the capital, while residents reported hearing explosions and seeing aircraft over the city.
The escalation comes after months of renewed fighting that has shattered a period of relative calm following the 2022 truce. Government forces have intensified operations against Houthi positions, particularly in Taiz, where heavy clashes have been reported in recent days.
Taiz has emerged as one of the main battlegrounds in the renewed conflict. Yemeni military officials said government forces had carried out multiple airstrikes against Houthi fighters, reinforcements, vehicles and military equipment in the province.
The army also reported clashes on several fronts around Taiz, while Houthi shelling in the province has reportedly caused civilian casualties.
The Houthis have expanded their territorial control in parts of Yemen during the latest escalation, while government forces backed by regional allies are seeking to halt their advance and regain strategic positions.
The renewed fighting has further aggravated Yemen’s already severe humanitarian crisis. The World Food Programme has warned that around three-quarters of families in government-controlled areas are facing food insecurity amid displacement, disrupted supplies and rising prices.
The escalation has also raised concerns over regional security and maritime trade, particularly around the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait, as fighting between the Houthis and government-aligned forces continues.
