Houthis (Ansar Allah)

Force in Play

Attacking Saudi Arabia; condemned by GCC

Gulf defense ministers agreed on 10 November to place a forward command post for their joint military force in Kuwait, at the northern tip of the Gulf. It is the first time the six-state bloc has put a standing command outside its Riyadh headquarters.

Updated Yesterday

Force in Play

Struck airports in Aden and Mukalla in late October, advanced within 80 km of Aden in early November, and traded blame with the government over a deadly Taiz market strike

Yemen's Saudi-backed government began its 'Dawn of Yemen' offensive on October 4 and initially claimed ground near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Taiz. The Houthis have since fired ballistic missiles at airports in Aden and Mukalla and advanced to within 80 kilometers of Aden, Shafaq News reported.

Updated 3 days ago

Force in Play

Claimed drone and missile strikes on Abha airport and Khamis Mushait air base on November 3, a "large-scale" attack on Aramco in Dhahran, Riyadh airport and a Riyadh refinery on November 4, and a drone strike on Dammam airport on November 5.

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport remains closed to normal operations after Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority extended its suspension on November 4, saying it needed to verify the safety of facilities. The Houthis claimed a ballistic missile hit the airport that day. On November 5 they said a drone struck King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and disrupted air traffic; Saudi authorities did not confirm either claim.

Updated 4 days ago

Force in Play

Saudi Arabia reported intercepting a drone in the Medina region on November 5; the Houthis deny targeting holy sites.

Turkey's parliament ratified the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on November 5, with 279 votes in favor and 119 against, completing ratification by all three members. The pact commits Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to treat an attack on one as an attack on all.

Updated 5 days ago

Force in Play

As of September 2026: Controls Yemen's entire western coast and Bab al-Mandeb islands

Ship crossings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait fell to 15 on Friday, half the previous day's total. Houthi rebels seized Perim Island that day, completing their takeover of the strait that carries 10 to 12 percent of global trade.

Updated Sep 12