More than 340,000 Yemenis have been displaced by escalating fighting in Marib and al-Jawf since August, according to figures released by the International Organization for Migration.
The surge in internal displacement coincides with a sharp military escalation between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government. On Sunday, Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki announced that air defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh, alongside three drones shot down in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern region.
Earlier on Saturday, al-Maliki reported two additional Houthi drones intercepted over Riyadh and southern regions. At least 26 people have been killed in suspected Houthi drone and missile attacks inside Saudi Arabia since September 23, according to the kingdom’s authorities.
Houthi strikes on Saudi sites
The Houthis claimed responsibility for a wave of strikes targeting Saudi oil infrastructure and military sites, including the East-West pipeline and facilities in Yanbu and Riyadh. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated on X that one operation “targeted Pumping Station No. 7 on the East-West Pipeline using a drone” and a second “targeted the Yanbu oil facility using a ballistic missile,” as reported by The New Arab.
Eyewitnesses in the capital reported visible damage to the Saudi Aramco tower inside the King Abdullah Financial District following a strike. Saudi officials said that coalition defense forces intercepted incoming ballistic missiles and that falling shrapnel caused minor administrative damage with zero casualties, according to Business Insider Africa.
The Houthis also claimed to have shot down a Saudi coalition reconnaissance aircraft over al-Jawf. “repel a number of Saudi military formations using several Yemeni-made surface-to-air missiles,” Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said, marking the fifth aircraft downed since the escalation began.
Government forces advance in al-Jawf
Heavy ground fighting continued to grip the al-Hazm and Madghal districts of al-Jawf as government forces advanced against the Houthis. Yemeni army spokesman Majid al-Nuzaili reported that government forces gained ground during the intensified clashes in Marib.
Al-Nuzaili said that 321 Houthi leaders were killed or wounded during 723 targeted operations across Taiz, Lahij, Marib, and al-Jawf. He added that 117 military vehicles belonging to the rebel group were destroyed, while the coalition conducted 37 air strikes, 56 drone attacks, and 541 artillery strikes.
Conversely, Houthi media reported that artillery shelling by Saudi-backed forces in Sanaa’s Shuaub district injured two women and two children.
US embassy issues security alert
Amid the widening hostilities, the US Embassy in Riyadh issued a nationwide security alert urging Americans in the kingdom to exercise heightened vigilance. The embassy warned that Houthi attacks on airports and critical infrastructure have caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions.
The escalation drew sharp diplomatic condemnation from the R4 Group, comprising Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, and Türkiye. The member countries issued a joint statement demanding an immediate halt to hostilities and calling the strikes a blatant violation of international law.
United States deputy envoy to the United Nations Jeff Bartos told a Security Council meeting that “the United States is gravely concerned by the continued escalation by the terrorist Houthis” and urged Iran to immediately stop supplying weapons to the militia.
Fighting locations in al-Jawf
Which districts in al-Jawf are experiencing heavy fighting?
Heavy fighting is concentrated in the al-Hazm and Madghal districts of al-Jawf governorate, according to Yemeni army spokesman Majid al-Nuzaili.
How many people have been displaced in Yemen since August?
More than 340,000 Yemenis have been displaced by fighting since August, according to the International Organization for Migration.
What infrastructure has been targeted in Saudi Arabia?
Houthi attacks have targeted King Khalid international airport in Riyadh, the East-West pipeline, oil facilities in Yanbu, and a Saudi Aramco building in Riyadh’s financial district, according to reports from The New Arab and Business Insider Africa.
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