Sana’a, Yemen — Yemeni forces loyal to the internationally recognised government advanced in the western part of Taiz province on Sunday after repelling a Houthi offensive, retaking positions and moving further into the southwestern sector of the governorate as clashes intensified【F1】【F2】. Al Jazeera Arabic reporter Yasser Hassan, citing a source within government forces, confirmed the advance in the coastal towns of Mocha, Dhubab and surrounding areas【F3】【F4】.
In a separate statement released Monday, the Houthi movement — also known as Ansar Allah — said it launched attacks on Saudi Arabia using dozens of ballistic missiles and drones【F5】. The group claimed the strikes targeted “military facilities and infrastructure, including aircraft hangars, radar installations, runways, ammunition depots and other targets at King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait”【F6】. According to the Houthis, the attacks were a response to a Saudi‑backed offensive that involved more than 300 air strikes across Yemen over a five‑day period【F7】.
Saudi officials did not immediately comment on the Houthi claims【F8】. The Saudi civil defence agency issued alerts for the city of Abha and the region around Khamis Mushait on Sunday, but the warnings were lifted shortly thereafter【F9】. The Houthi statement said dozens of people were wounded in the attacks【F10】.
The fighting in Yemen has escalated in recent weeks after the Houthis captured portions of the Red Sea coast, strengthening their hold on the Bab al‑Mandeb strait — a chokepoint that handles roughly 12 percent of global trade, including 11 percent of maritime oil and 8 percent of liquefied natural gas shipments【F11】. The strait has become an economic lifeline for Saudi Arabia, especially as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked by Iranian forces following the United States and Israel’s war on Iran that began in February【F12】.
In addition to the coastal advances, the Houthis have seized several strategic islands in the southern Red Sea. According to reports cited by Al Jazeera, the Associated Press confirmed that Houthi fighters were deployed on Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish, islands located about 86 nautical miles (160 km) north of Bab al‑Mandeb【F13】【F14】.
Sources
Al Jazeera News, “Yemen govt forces advance in Taiz as Houthis claim attack on Saudi Arabia,” September 14 2026, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/14/yemen-govt-forces-advance-in-taiz-as-houthis-claim-attack-on-saudi-arabia?traffic_source=rss
Source: Al Jazeera News
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Story synopsis gathered from: Al Jazeera News — source
