World
Houthis seize more ground in Yemen as Trump calls off strikes; why Saudi Arabia is alarmed
Houthis advance in Yemen as Saudi Arabia faces attacks and Bab al-Mandab comes under threat, while Trump holds off on US strikes against the Iran-backed group.
FULL ARTICLE · The Indian Express World
4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Sep 22, 2026 08:07 PM IST
Supporters of Yemen's Houthi rebels raise their machine guns during a rally in support of the group and to protest Saudi Arabia's accusation that the Houthis targeted Islam's holiest site of Mecca, in Sanaa, Yemen. (AP Photo)
The US-Iran war has opened another front in West Asia, with Iran-backed Houthi fighters pushing deeper into Yemen and escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia as Riyadh seeks US support against the group.
Houthi fighters are pushing to seize strategic heights in southern Yemen that could cut off the Red Sea coast from areas held by Saudi-backed Yemeni forces, after US President Donald Trump reportedly called off planned strikes against the group at the last minute.
The strategic Kahboub Mountains in Taiz and Lahij provinces separate the Red Sea coast from government-held areas further south.
WHY IT MATTERS
Houthi gains around Bab al-Mandab threaten a key Red Sea shipping route just as Hormuz remains disrupted, raising risks for global trade, energy supplies and India’s oil-import costs.
Houthis escalate attacks on Saudi Arabia
Iran-backed Houthi fighters have escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, launching missiles and drones while expanding their territorial control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Air raid sirens ring out in Riyadh
Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired towards Riyadh on Saturday. Reuters footage showed a large plume of smoke near King Khalid International Airport, while FlightRadar24 reported major delays and cancellations at the airport.
Air-raid alerts were issued in Riyadh on Saturday, the first such alerts in the Saudi capital since tensions with the Houthis flared in July.
“Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports. This military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly,” the State Department’s statement added.
Story continues below this ad
Trump says Houthis do not want US fight
Trump, in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, said Washington was in constant communication with the Houthis and that the rebel group has agreed not to fight with the US. The Republican leader further added that he was in a “deciding mode” on what to do in the larger war with Iran, which is closing in on its seventh month.
The US President, last week, said the Houthis had called America and “they don’t want to fight with us,” adding, “They would much prefer not having us involved, and they’re letting most ships go through.”
Trump said Washington had been in contact with the Houthis and that the group did not want to fight the US.
Houthis advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast
The Houthis have rapidly expanded their control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, routing Saudi-backed government forces from several positions and advancing towards the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Story continues below this ad
The advance matters beyond Yemen because Bab al-Mandab is a key route for shipping between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Saudi Arabia has relied more heavily on its Red Sea export route after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The development also matters to India because disruptions at both Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb put pressure on the sea routes used to move Middle Eastern energy to Asian markets. S&P Global has identified India and China among the Asian oil importers particularly exposed to simultaneous disruptions at the two chokepoints.
Who are the Houthis?
Houthi rebels are part of Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’ and align with other militant groups like Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Gaza-based Hamas. It was formed in opposition to Israel, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. Houthis have said that it fights against the interference of the US, Israel, and other Western-aligned forces in the Middle East.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
SOURCE