Dozens of Saudi air strikes pound Houthi positions as Yemen fighting rages

Yemen's Ansar Allah Houthis say Saudi Arabia has launched a wave of air strikes across five regions — Lahj, Taiz, al-Jawf, Marib and Hajjah — as Riyadh supports Yemen's internationally recognised government in countering a rapid Houthi offensive. The Iran-backed group has advanced west and south in the past week, seizing territory including the Red Sea port of Mocha. Injuries have been reported in Taiz. For its part, Saudi Arabia is accusing the Houthis of carrying out deliberate attacks on civilians, saying the group launched ballistic missiles and drones at civilian infrastructure in Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif, injuring 13 people. The Houthis released video they say shows a Saudi air strike in Hodeidah province, as well as footage of fighters in Mocha celebrating their advance. The Saudi air strikes are forcing the Houthis to redeploy and minimise their visibility, with the group adopting what it calls a “stealth mode” as attacks target their positions across multiple provinces. Saudi Arabia is also striking areas such as Hajjah, where no clashes are taking place, because it believes missiles and drones are being launched from there. The Houthis have continued targeting Saudi Arabia, particularly Jizan, with Saudi oil assets identified as a main target. The Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia are seeking to prevent the Houthis from expanding deeper into government-held territory, while a source says Riyadh is trying to convince the US and other regional powers to join the military effort and halt further advances towards Taiz and Marib. Al Jazeera's Yousef Mawry reports from Sanaa. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Yemen #Houthis #AnsarAllah #Taiz #Marib #AlJawf #Hodeidah #SaudiArabia #Jizan #Mocha #YemenWar #KhamisMushait #Abha #Taif #HouthiMissiles #SaudiYemenTensions #AlBayda #BabAlMandeb