The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile targeting Saudi Arabia's southern region on Monday, as fighting continued on key fronts between the Houthis and Yemeni government forces, including the strategic northern governorate of al-Jawf.
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said in a statement that defences "intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile" targeting Saudi Arabia's southern region. Earlier, he said defences destroyed a drone launched toward the southern region on Sunday evening. Also on Monday, Saudi Civil Defence issued and then lifted alerts warning of "potential danger" in the city of Abha, as well as the provinces of Khamis Mushait, Taif and Najran, urging residents against "filming, publishing or sharing information" related to missile and drone attacks.
In Yemen, a Houthi-affiliated media outlet reported that seven people were wounded in Saudi-led coalition air strikes on Hodeidah on the Red Sea coast: four at Ras Isa port dock and three at an oil company site in the Bajil district. The coalition made no comment on those reports.
The clashes come as Yemeni government forces continue a campaign to regain positions from the Iran-aligned Houthis in al-Jawf. Army spokesman Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili said on Sunday evening that government forces conducted 1,272 "targeting operations" against Houthi fighters, fortifications and weapons supplies over 24 hours, with operations ongoing in al-Jawf, neighbouring Marib and al-Bayda. He said roughly 500 Houthi fighters were killed and nearly 170 vehicles, equipment or heavy weaponry destroyed or disabled. The claims could not be independently verified.
In southwest Yemen, the Houthis continue to besiege Taiz, blocking food, fuel and medical supplies. Governor Nabil Shamsan said 120 health centres have stopped operating and another 66 are close to shutting down since the Houthis cut off supply routes in early October. Nour al-Din al-Mansouri, a member of the committee facilitating the Taiz Siege Affairs Office, said at least 23 trucks were damaged or overturned in the past two weeks seeking alternative routes. Taiz is Yemen's third-largest city, home to about one million people. Full-scale fighting reignited in September when the Houthis made gains on the Red Sea coast; the internationally recognised government launched Operation Dawn of Yemen last month to regain Houthi-held territory.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The interception and continued fighting signal an escalation on multiple fronts, raising the risk of further civilian casualties and displacement in Yemen.
- The renewed clashes, including the Houthi siege of Taiz, deepen a humanitarian crisis that has already shut down most health facilities in the city and disrupted food and fuel supplies.
- The Saudi-led coalition's involvement and cross-border attacks keep regional tensions high, with potential for wider instability.
Background
Yemen's civil war pits the Iran-aligned Houthi group, which seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, against the internationally recognised government backed by a Saudi-led coalition. After a period of relative calm, full-scale fighting reignited in September when the Houthis made gains along the Red Sea coast. Last month, the government launched Operation Dawn of Yemen to regain Houthi-held territory, and fighting is now concentrated in the northern governorates of al-Jawf, Marib and al-Bayda, as well as around the besieged city of Taiz.
Key Perspectives
- Saudi-led coalition: Says its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile and a drone targeting the southern region, and issued civil defence alerts over potential danger in several areas.
- Yemeni government forces: Claim to have carried out 1,272 targeting operations against Houthi fighters, killing about 500 and destroying or disabling nearly 170 vehicles or weapons in 24 hours.
- Houthi-affiliated media: Report that seven people were wounded in coalition strikes on Hodeidah, including at Ras Isa port and an oil company site.
- Taiz Governor Nabil Shamsan: Warns of a mounting humanitarian crisis, with 120 health centres stopped and 66 more close to shutting down since the Houthis cut supply routes.
What to Watch
- Whether the Houthis launch further missile or drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, and whether coalition strikes on Yemeni ports or oil sites escalate.
- The progress of Operation Dawn of Yemen and whether government forces can secure al-Jawf and relieve the siege of Taiz.
- International and UN responses to the renewed fighting, especially humanitarian access and any new displacement figures.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a Houthi missile.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen says air defences intercepted a Houthi missile”
- SupportedFighting continued to rage along key fronts in Yemen, including al-Jawf.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “fighting continues to rage along key fronts between the armed group and forces loyal to the internationally recognised Yemeni government”
- SupportedThe coalition said its air defences downed a ballistic missile and a drone.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Defences “intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile” targeting Saudi Arabia’s southern region, said coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki in a statement on Monday. Earlier, he said defences destroyed a drone launched toward the southern region on Sunday evening.”
- SupportedHouthi-affiliated media reported seven people wounded in coalition strikes on Hodeidah.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “a media outlet affiliated with the Houthi armed group, also known as Ansar Allah (Arabic for Supporters of God), reported that seven people were wounded in Saudi-led coalition air strikes on Hodeidah on the Red Sea coast.”
- SupportedAl-Maliki said defences “intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile”.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Defences “intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile” targeting Saudi Arabia’s southern region, said coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki in a statement on Monday.”
- SupportedThe missile targeted Saudi Arabia’s southern region on Monday, and a drone had been launched toward that region on Sunday evening.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “targeting Saudi Arabia’s southern region, said coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki in a statement on Monday. Earlier, he said defences destroyed a drone launched toward the southern region on Sunday evening.”
- SupportedSaudi Civil Defence issued and then lifted alerts for Abha and the provinces of Khamis Mushait, Taif and Najran, warning of “potential danger”.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “the Saudi Civil Defence authority issued and then lifted alerts warning of “potential danger” in the city of Abha, as well as the provinces of Khamis Mushait, Taif and Najran.”
- SupportedThe seven wounded included four at Ras Isa port dock and three at an oil company site in Bajil district.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Four people were wounded in the attacks on Ras Isa port dock, while three others suffered injuries in a strike on an oil company site in the governorate’s Bajil district, Houthi media reported.”
- SupportedAl-Nazili said government forces conducted 1,272 targeting operations over 24 hours, with operations ongoing in al-Jawf, Marib and al-Bayda.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Yemeni army spokesman Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili said on Sunday evening that government forces conducted 1,272 “targeting operations” against Houthi fighters, fortifications and weapons supplies over 24 hours. Operations are ongoing in al-Jawf, neighbouring Marib and al-Bayda to the south, added al-Nazili.”
- Partly supportedAl-Nazili said roughly 500 Houthi fighters were killed and nearly 170 vehicles, equipment or heavy weaponry destroyed or disabled.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Government forces killed roughly 500 Houthi fighters and destroyed or disabled nearly 170 vehicles, equipment or heavy weaponry. Al Jazeera could not independently verify the claims.”
- SupportedIn Taiz, 120 health centres had stopped operating and another 66 were close to shutting down.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “He said 120 health centres have stopped operating and another 66 are close to shutting down since the Houthis cut off supply routes to the city in early October.”
- SupportedAt least 23 trucks were damaged or overturned in the past two weeks while seeking alternative routes to Taiz.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Nour al-Din al-Mansouri, a member of the committee facilitating the work of the Taiz Siege Affairs Office, told Al Jazeera that at least 23 trucks were damaged or overturned in the past two weeks while seeking alternative routes to Taiz.”