Yemen fighting kills 500 troops as Houthis seize Red Sea islands

September 14, 2026 at 09:10 AM2 min

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

Fierce fighting between Houthi rebels and Yemen's internationally recognized government has killed more than 500 troops and wounded 1,500 on the western coast. The rebels seized key islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the port of Mokha, a major oil transit point. The escalation has displaced over 85,000 people and prompted an emergency UN Security Council session.

Key Facts

More than 500 troops have been killed and 1,500 wounded in recent weeks of fighting on Yemen's western coast.
Houthi rebels seized the strategic island of Perim, advanced toward the Hanish archipelago, and took control of the port of Mokha near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Over 85,000 people have fled their homes since the start of the month, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Houthi ballistic missile and drone attacks on the Saudi cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, and Jizan injured more than 70 civilians.
The UN Security Council held an emergency session on the Middle East, where special envoy Hans Grundberg warned the renewed war risks a regional confrontation.

The Fighting

Houthi rebels, linked to Iran, are engaged in fierce battles with government forces cooperating with Saudi Arabia in southwestern Yemen. The rebels captured the strategic island of Perim, advanced toward the Hanish archipelago, and established control over the port of Mokha near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key route for Saudi oil shipments. More than 500 troops have been killed and 1,500 wounded in recent weeks of clashes on the western coast. In response, Riyadh launched massive airstrikes on Houthi positions in the provinces of Marib, Taiz, al-Jawf, and al-Hudaydah.

Humanitarian Impact

About 2,000 people fled across the strait to Djibouti, while over 85,000 have been displaced since the start of the month, according to the International Organization for Migration. Many displaced people are sheltering in Aden, a city under government control. Ahmad al-Masawi, director of a refugee camp, said camps, residential areas, and roads are overcrowded, and refugees from Taiz and Hodeidah are left in the open.

Regional Escalation

The conflict is directly linked to the confrontation between Washington and Tehran, with the Houthis stepping up attacks on US allies in the region, particularly Saudi Arabia. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said Yemeni forces carried out a large-scale operation using dozens of ballistic missiles and drones, warning of stronger strikes in response to any attack. The UN Security Council held an emergency session on the Middle East, where special envoy Hans Grundberg called on the Houthis to stop attacks on Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Grundberg warned the renewed war marks the end of relative calm that had prevailed for more than four years and risks drawing the country into a regional confrontation with global consequences.