Yemeni forces strike Houthis in Mocha and Marib as US holds Houthi talks

September 17, 2026 at 08:26 AM2 min

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

Yemeni government forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, struck Houthi positions around Mocha and launched drone attacks in Marib on Wednesday. The Houthis claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib. The United States reiterated support for Yemen's government while holding direct talks with Houthi representatives in Oman.

Key Facts

Saudi Arabia has requested air-defence support from France, Pakistan, Egypt, and the United Kingdom as its missile interceptor stocks run low.
US officials held direct talks with Houthi representatives at the US embassy in Muscat last weekend, facilitated by the Omani government.
The Houthis told US officials they would not attack US vessels and remained committed to the 2025 ceasefire with the US.
US diplomat Neil Hop told Yemen's Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba that Washington maintained strong support for Yemen's internationally recognised government.

Military Operations

The Yemeni government's army said the Saudi-led coalition targeted Houthi outposts and equipment around the southwestern port city of Mocha. In a separate social media post, the government's army said it conducted drone attacks on Houthi forces in northern Marib governorate. The Houthis claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib.

US Diplomatic Engagement

US officials held direct talks with Houthi representatives in Oman last weekend, according to three sources who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity. The meeting took place at the US embassy in Muscat with the assistance of the Omani government, two of the sources said. At the Muscat meeting, the Houthis told US officials they had no intention of attacking US vessels and were committed to the 2025 ceasefire with the US. US Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins said the US is closely monitoring the situation and has a longstanding military relationship with Saudi partners.

Saudi Air-Defence Requests

Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has asked regional and Western allies for help, according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press. The Saudis asked France, Pakistan, Egypt, and the United Kingdom to deploy air-defence support to help defend against attacks by the Houthis. One official said Saudi Arabia's main ally and arms supplier, the US, has seen its own stock of interceptors dwindle over the course of the war with Iran.