Yemen government launches air strikes on Houthis in Taiz and Hodeidah

September 5, 2026 at 05:43 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Yemen's internationally recognised government launched at least 15 air strikes on Friday against Houthi positions, gatherings and vehicles in Taiz and Hodeidah provinces. The strikes mark a significant escalation in the government's use of its own air power, supporting forces fighting a major Houthi offensive toward the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Key Facts

Government warplanes carried out at least 15 strikes on Friday against Houthi positions in Taiz and Hodeidah, according to the Yemeni military.
The strikes supported government forces fighting a major Houthi offensive toward the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
On July 25, government aircraft struck Houthi missile and drone launch sites and weapons depots in Marib and al-Jawf.
On July 13, government forces attacked the runway at Houthi-held Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing.

Air Campaign

Yemen's internationally recognised government launched a series of air attacks against Houthi positions on Friday. Government warplanes carried out at least 15 strikes against Houthi positions, gatherings and vehicles in the western provinces of Taiz and Hodeidah, according to the Yemeni military. The attacks provided support to government forces fighting a major Houthi offensive towards the Red Sea coast and the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The latest attacks mark a significant step up in the government's use of its own air power, after Saudi-led coalition aircraft provided much of the aerial firepower during the most intense years of Yemen's war.

Houthi Offensive

The Iran-backed Houthis are attempting to advance through western Taiz and southern Hodeidah towards al-Makha (Mocha) and territory overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Control of the area could strengthen the Houthis' position along the Red Sea, where the group has previously attacked commercial and military vessels. The Houthis recently declared a Red Sea maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. Disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz during the US-Israel war with Iran has raised the strategic importance of alternative routes through the Red Sea.