RIYADH — The long-standing stalemate in Yemen’s civil war appears to be unraveling after the internationally recognized Yemeni government launched airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport, a key stronghold of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The attack, confirmed by Yemeni government officials on Monday, marks a sharp escalation in hostilities that had remained largely dormant since a fragile ceasefire collapsed in late 2025.
The strikes targeted Houthi military installations at the airport, which the rebels have used as a logistical hub for drone and missile operations against Saudi Arabia. The Yemeni government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, accused the Houthis of violating the terms of the expired truce by launching cross-border attacks into southern Saudi Arabia earlier this month. Houthi officials condemned the airstrikes as a “flagrant violation of Yemeni sovereignty” and vowed retaliation, raising fears of a broader regional conflagration.
The renewed violence comes amid heightened diplomatic activity at the United Nations, where Security Council members rallied behind Saudi Arabia last week, denouncing Iran’s role in arming and financing the Houthis. A joint statement from the U.S., U.K., France, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states called for “immediate de-escalation” but stopped short of demanding a ceasefire, instead urging the Houthis to “cease all provocations.” The U.S., under the Trump administration, has reaffirmed its military and intelligence support for Saudi Arabia, reversing a partial drawdown of American forces in the region that had begun under President Biden in 2024.
Regional Powers on High Alert
The escalation has reignited speculation about whether Pakistan, a key Saudi ally, might be drawn into the conflict. Islamabad has historically maintained a delicate balance between its strategic partnership with Riyadh and its long-standing ties with Tehran. In 2015, Pakistan’s parliament voted against joining the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, citing fears of entanglement in a sectarian proxy war. However, recent reports suggest Saudi Arabia has renewed pressure on Pakistan to contribute troops or logistical support, particularly as the Houthis expand their drone and missile capabilities.
Pakistani officials have not publicly commented on the possibility of military involvement, but analysts warn that any deployment could strain Islamabad’s already fragile relations with Iran. “Pakistan is walking a tightrope,” said Hassan Abbas, a South Asia security expert at the National Defense University in Washington. “Saudi Arabia is a critical financial backer, but Iran remains a neighbor with significant influence in Balochistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan cannot afford to alienate either side.”
Yemen’s “No War, No Peace” Era Ends
For years, Yemen’s conflict has been characterized by a tense stalemate—what Al Jazeera described as a “no war, no peace” deadlock, where neither side could achieve a decisive victory but neither was willing to negotiate. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, have consolidated power through a mix of governance and repression, while the Saudi-backed government, based in Aden, has struggled with infighting and economic collapse.
The recent airstrikes suggest a shift in strategy by the Saudi-led coalition, which has faced mounting criticism for its role in Yemen’s humanitarian catastrophe. Over 377,000 people have died in the conflict since 2014, according to UN estimates, with the majority of deaths caused by indirect factors such as famine and disease. The coalition’s blockade of Houthi-held areas has been a major point of contention, with aid groups warning that renewed fighting could push millions more to the brink of starvation.
International Reactions and Strategic Calculus
The U.S. has framed its support for Saudi Arabia as part of a broader effort to counter Iranian influence in the Middle East. A senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told NDTV that Washington views the Houthis as a “direct threat to regional stability” and accused Tehran of using the group to “project power and undermine U.S. allies.” The official added that the Biden administration’s earlier attempts to distance itself from Saudi Arabia had “emboldened the Houthis,” leading to an uptick in attacks on Saudi infrastructure in 2024.
Iran, meanwhile, has dismissed the allegations as “baseless propaganda,” with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stating that Tehran “supports the Yemeni people’s right to self-determination” but denies providing military aid to the Houthis. Independent analysts, however, point to a growing body of evidence—including UN reports and intercepted shipments—linking Iran to the supply of advanced drones and ballistic missiles to the rebels.
Analysis: A Proxy War with No End in Sight
The latest escalation underscores the intractable nature of Yemen’s conflict, which has become a battleground for regional rivalries. For Saudi Arabia, the Houthis represent an existential threat—a well-armed, ideologically driven militia on its southern border with the capacity to strike deep into its territory. Riyadh’s calculus appears to have shifted from seeking a negotiated settlement to degrading Houthi capabilities through military means, even at the risk of prolonging the war.
For the U.S., the conflict offers a way to reassert its influence in the Gulf while countering Iran’s expanding footprint. The Trump administration’s decision to double down on Saudi support reflects a return to the “maximum pressure” strategy that defined its first term, albeit with a renewed focus on deterring Iranian aggression through military alliances rather than economic sanctions alone.
The humanitarian toll, however, remains the conflict’s most devastating legacy. With the UN’s humanitarian response in Yemen already underfunded by nearly 50%, aid organizations warn that renewed fighting could collapse what remains of the country’s fragile health and food systems. “Yemen is on the verge of a catastrophe,” said Erin Hutchinson, Yemen country director for the Norwegian Refugee Council. “The international community cannot afford to look away while the war reignites.”
As the situation deteriorates, the question of Pakistan’s involvement looms large. While Islamabad has so far avoided direct military engagement, the pressure from Riyadh—and the potential financial incentives—may prove difficult to resist. For now, the conflict’s trajectory remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Yemen’s long nightmare is far from over.
Story synopsis gathered from: India Today, The Hindu, Al Jazeera, NDTV, Arab News — Google News.
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Story synopsis gathered from: Google News India – Top Stories — source.
