The conflict in Yemen has intensified as Houthi rebels accuse Saudi Arabia of carrying out 26 attacks against areas under their control within 24 hours. The claim, reported by AFP, comes amid a sharp increase in fighting between Houthi forces and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government.

The Houthis also claimed that Saudi attacks had reached around 300 during the previous week, while government forces reported significant casualties among Houthi fighters in Taiz province.

The latest escalation is raising fresh concerns about civilian safety, regional stability and the security of international shipping routes around the Red Sea and the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Fighting Intensifies Across Yemen

According to AFP, Houthi forces said Saudi Arabia conducted 26 attacks over a 24-hour period against territory controlled by the group. On Friday, the Houthis separately claimed that approximately 300 Saudi attacks had taken place during the preceding week.

The claims come as fighting has intensified across several areas of Yemen. Yemen’s government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia, said its forces killed 30 Houthi fighters and wounded more than 60 others during clashes in the al-Waziiyah district of Taiz province.

Taiz remains one of several active fronts where fighting has increased in recent days.

Civilian Casualties Reported

The escalation has also resulted in reported civilian deaths. Earlier in the week, at least five people, including three children, were reportedly killed in attacks linked to the conflict.

Saudi Arabia said one person was killed in Taif governorate after a Houthi drone was intercepted. Meanwhile, Houthi-linked media reported deaths resulting from Saudi attacks in Taiz and the town of Abs.

The competing claims highlight the continuing difficulty of independently verifying casualty figures amid the ongoing conflict.

Large Protests in Sanaa

Thousands of people marched through Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Friday in support of the Houthis and opposition to Saudi Arabia.

The demonstrations came as Houthi forces continued to consolidate control over significant parts of Yemen, including areas along the Red Sea coast. The strategic location has increased international concern because of the group's proximity to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as an important route for international maritime trade.

UN Security Council Raises Alarm

The United Nations Security Council has expressed concern over the continuing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including reports of civilian casualties and damage to energy infrastructure.

In a statement, council members warned that the military escalation, attacks and threats against international shipping in the Red Sea, and Houthi advances near Bab al-Mandeb could widen the conflict and threaten maritime security and international trade.

The council also expressed concern over reports that approximately 125,000 people had been displaced across Yemen since the beginning of September.

UNSC members called for an immediate halt to Houthi attacks and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's right to self-defence under international law.

US Engagement Adds a New Dimension

The escalation has also attracted increased attention from Washington.

US officials reportedly met Houthi representatives at the US embassy in Muscat, Oman, after the group's territorial advances raised concerns about commercial shipping through Bab al-Mandeb.

According to reports, the Houthis assured US officials that vessels not connected to Saudi Arabia would not be targeted.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly urged US President Donald Trump to take direct military action against the Houthis. However, Washington has so far avoided launching a direct campaign against the group, amid wider concerns about expanding the regional conflict.

European Union Raises Maritime Alert

The European Union has also responded to the deteriorating security situation.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc's Red Sea naval mission, Operation Aspides, had increased its alert level as regional tensions worsened, according to Reuters.

Kallas described Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as unacceptable and said they posed risks to the global economy.

She also said she had spoken with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud about diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and restore freedom of navigation through important regional waterways.

Why Bab al-Mandeb Matters

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is one of the world's strategically important maritime chokepoints. Any prolonged military confrontation near the waterway could affect commercial shipping, insurance costs, transportation times and global supply chains.

Concerns about the Red Sea are particularly significant because disruptions can force vessels to consider longer alternative routes, increasing travel time and operational costs.

The latest escalation therefore extends beyond Yemen's domestic conflict and has implications for regional security and international trade.

Key Highlights

• Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of carrying out 26 attacks in 24 hours.
• The group claimed around 300 Saudi attacks during the previous week.
• Yemen's government said 30 Houthi fighters were killed and more than 60 wounded in Taiz clashes.
• Reports indicated that at least five people, including three children, were killed earlier in the week.
• The UN Security Council expressed concern over attacks and threats affecting Red Sea shipping.
• The UN reported concerns over the displacement of approximately 125,000 people since the beginning of September.
• US officials reportedly held talks with Houthi representatives in Muscat, Oman.
• The EU's Operation Aspides reportedly raised its alert level amid worsening regional tensions.
• The escalation is increasing concerns about Bab al-Mandeb and international maritime trade.

Professional Disclaimer & Third-Party Reference

This article is based on information attributed to third-party reporting and statements, including reports from AFP and Reuters, as well as statements attributed to the United Nations Security Council, Saudi authorities, Houthi-linked sources and Yemeni government representatives. Claims made by parties to the conflict may differ and may not be independently verifiable. Casualty figures and operational claims should therefore be treated as reported figures rather than independently confirmed facts. Information may change as the situation develops.

Conclusion

The latest accusations of Saudi air attacks come as Yemen faces another sharp escalation in fighting between Houthi forces and the Saudi-backed government. With the conflict increasingly affecting the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb, developments in Yemen are being closely watched for their potential impact on civilians, regional security and global shipping.

Follow the latest developments in the Yemen conflict, Red Sea security situation and regional geopolitics for further updates.