Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of killing seven in Yemen prison air strike

September 8, 2026 at 04:50 AM2 min

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

Yemen's Houthi rebels accused Saudi Arabia of an air strike on a prison in al-Hazm that killed seven people, including a child, and wounded at least seven others. The Houthi-run Al Masirah TV aired footage of the aftermath, while Riyadh has not commented on the allegations.

Key Facts

The strike hit the Central Corrective Facility in al-Jawf province, killing seven people including a child and wounding at least seven, according to a Houthi health ministry spokesperson.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the group shot down four Saudi reconnaissance drones in 24 hours, including a CH-4 drone over al-Jawf.
The Yemeni government said it made territorial gains against the Houthis in al-Jawf, Bayda, Dahle, and Marib provinces on Sunday.
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg called on warring parties to halt hostilities, warning the escalation could spiral into full-scale war.

Prison Strike Allegations

Houthi-run Al Masirah TV aired footage showing a collapsed building and people searching through rubble after the alleged attack. Anees al-Asbahi, spokesperson for the Houthi-run Health Ministry, said the strike on the Central Corrective Facility in al-Jawf province killed seven people, including a child, and wounded at least seven, including a woman. Saudi Arabia has not commented on the allegations.

Houthi Military Claims

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of committing massacres in al-Jawf and supplying mercenaries with weaponry. Saree claimed Houthi forces shot down four Saudi reconnaissance drones over 24 hours, including a CH-4 drone carrying out hostile missions in al-Jawf. Al Masirah TV also released footage it said showed Houthi ballistic missiles attacking Saudi supply trucks at a border crossing in Hadramout province.

Escalating Conflict

The Yemeni government said it made significant territorial gains against the Houthis in al-Jawf, Bayda, Dahle, and Marib provinces on Sunday. Government-aligned forces conducted counterattacks in Taiz and Hodeidah after the Houthis launched a major offensive to control the Bab al-Mandeb strait. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg called Monday for warring parties to halt hostilities and exercise maximum restraint.