The Iran-backed Houthis issued a warning on Monday, saying the Saudi airspace was “unsafe” for civilian flights, in a statement published by Saba, Yemen’s official state news agency.
This came after the Saudi-led coalition announced that it had joined a counter-offensive against the Houthis, which was launched by Yemen’s internationally recognised government to retake parts of the country under the rebels’ control. The foes have traded strikes since the Houthis seized all of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and took control of the Bab al-Mandab strait in a lightning offensive last month. The Houthis have also been attacking neighbouring Saudi Arabia since the unravelling of the truce, and have declared a maritime blockade on its ships.
The Saudi-Houthi conflict flared up in July after a 2022 truce unravelled. The Yemeni military said it had carried out over 1,000 strikes, AFP reported.
In a statement published by Saba, the Houthis’ HOCC agency said Saudi airspace “is not safe” and “will be the theatre of operations of our armed forces,” AFP reported. This comes after the Houthi rebels said they had seized more territory in the southwestern part of Yemen, including the town of Turbah, on Sunday.
The Houthis have, however, denied that the Yemeni military has made any gains. Earlier reporting noted: The Yemeni military said it carried out more than 1,000 strikes and began an offensive against the Houthi-held capital, Sanaa, while the Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognised government said 100 warplanes flew sorties at dawn. Earlier reporting noted: The government announced the lofty goal of retaking all Houthi territory — home to most of Yemen’s population, and much of it held for more than a decade — on Sunday (October 4, 2026). Earlier reporting noted: On Sunday (October 4, 2026), Yemen’s military spokesman announced over 1,000 strikes against targets including artillery and rocket launcher positions, combat reinforcements and supply lines.
The Yemeni forces advanced rapidly along the coast, backed by Saudi air support, to seize key positions in the Dhubab area, located on the narrowest point of the strait, according to the minister. Eryani said the Yemeni military had taken control of the Dhubab strip and cut off remaining Houthi forces in the area. However, another government source told Reuters that fighting at a military base near the strait continues.
The waterway was vital, particularly for Saudi oil exports, given the closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the West Asia conflict in February earlier this year. Meanwhile, the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have secured effective control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Yemen’s information minister Moammar al-Eryani told Reuters news agency on Monday.
