The State Department has ordered some diplomats and family members to depart from its missions in Saudi Arabia and is drawing up plans for further withdrawals from other embassies. Reports also said the Pentagon was pulling American troops from bases in the region.
Archiv: Jemen / Yemen
Saudi Arabia spends billions on its military. Why can‘t it stop deadly attacks by Iran‘s Houthi allies?
„No country can ever have a 100% interception rating, that just doesn‘t really exist,“ Elizabeth Dent, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told CBS News, but that „was a hell of a one to miss.“
Saudi Arabia spent $83 billion on defense last year, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute — far more than any other country in the Middle East, including Israel.
So why has the kingdom struggled to stop the Houthi barrage?
Beteiligung der Marine an EUNAVFOR Aspides im Roten Meer soll fortgeführt werden
(October 9, 2026)
Am 8. Oktober 2026 haben die parlamentarischen Beratungen über die Fortsetzung der Beteiligung bewaffneter deutscher Streitkräfte an der von der Europäischen Union geführten Operation European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Aspides begonnen.
Daten und Fakten
– Die personelle Obergrenze soll unverändert bis zu 350 Soldatinnen und Soldaten betragen.
– Das Mandat soll bis zum 31. Oktober 2027 verlängert werden.
– EUNAVFOR Aspides („Schilde“) ist eine Operation der Europäischen Union. Der Einsatz wurde am 8. Februar 2024 von der EU beschlossen. Die Bundesregierung sprach sich für eine deutsche Beteiligung am 16. Februar 2024 aus und das Parlament gab am 23. Februar 2024 grünes Licht.
– Der deutsche Beitrag zum Einsatz umfasst derzeit Stabspersonal im Hauptquartier im griechischen Larissa, sowie auf dem Führungsschiff der Operation. Darüber hinaus erfolgen regelmäßige Einsatzflüge zur Bereitstellung luftgestützter Seeraumüberwachung und die grundsätzliche Möglichkeit zur Beteiligung mit seegehenden Einheiten.
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Einsatzgebiet
Das Einsatzgebiet von EUNAVFOR Aspides umfasst die internationalen Gewässer im Roten Meer, im Golf von Aden, im Arabischen Meer, im Golf von Oman und im Persischen Golf. Im Bereich der Straße von Hormus gibt es allerdings ein gesondert ausgewiesenes Einsatzgebiet mit besonderen Regelungen. Dort gibt es für Aspides derzeit keine Befugnisse für das Minenräumen oder den Schutz von Schiffen.
Netanyahu denounces Riyadh attack, calls for a region „united against threats“
„Terrorism targets innocent people and seeks to spread fear and instability. It must be confronted with resolve,“ said Netanyahu in a statement posted to X. „Israel looks forward to a strong Middle East—one that stands united against threats, protects its people, and builds a future of security, cooperation, and prosperity for all the peoples of our region.“
U.S. „may“ join Saudi strikes on Houthis, Trump says
„We may. We‘re gonna look at it,“ Mr. Trump said when asked about the possibility as he left the White House for a campaign rally in Tennessee. „We just found out about the recent attack [on the airport]. So we‘ll make a decision– we move very quickly.“
Mr. Trump was also asked about whether the Houthi strike on Riyadh‘s airport would change his previously announced decision not to launch any potential strikes on Iran until after the midterms.
„Well, we‘re gonna take a look,“ he responded.
Houthis claim responsibility for deadly Riyadh airport attack
Yemen’s Houthis say they carried out Saturday’s missile attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport, which killed 12 people and wounded about 300, some critically.
Military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group launched several operations against the airport, “resulting in the disruption of air traffic at the airport and its complete closure”.
‘Dawn of Yemen’ operation launched to liberate Sanaa
The chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council says the “Dawn of Yemen” military operation has begun to “restore state institutions and liberate the capital Sanaa and end the Houthi militia coup”.
“With God’s help, the will of our people, the bravery of our armed forces and all military formations, and the support of our brothers and friends, Yemen will move towards a new dawn of freedom, peace, and stability,” Rashad al-Alimi said on X.
Yemen’s government forces claim control of Bab al-Mandeb
The army of Yemen’s internationally recognised government says it has “succeeded in controlling” the Bab al-Mandeb strait and recaptured a nearby airport in the coastal town of Dhubab in the governorate of Taiz.
In a series of posts on X, Brigadier-General Majid al-Nuzaili said government forces took over the airport and tightened control in the area.
Yemen’s leader announces military operation to retake Houthi-held territory
The Saudi Arabia-backed head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, has announced the start of military operations to retake the remaining territory held by the Iran-backed Houthi armed group and restore state authority across the country.
In a televised address, al-Alimi said on Sunday the internationally recognised government’s forces would extend “the authority of the state and its institutions over the entire national territory”.
Yemen’s army claims over 1,500 Houthi casualties, attacks Sanaa
Loud explosions have been reported in Yemen’s Houthi-held capital, Sanaa, while missile, drone and artillery attacks targeted Houthi positions across the country, according to the military.
Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, Yemen’s military spokesman, wrote on X on Saturday that the armed forces are carrying out a military operation “on legitimate vital military targets in Sanaa”, adding that they are “capable of executing strategic attacks against the Houthis”.
Saudis plan assault on Houthis to break Red Sea chokehold
More than 100,000 Yemeni troops could be mobilized in the offensive, depending on the scale, the officials all said.
Spokespeople for the Saudi and Yemeni governments, the Houthi group and the US military didn‘t immediately respond to requests for comment about the Saudi plans.
Pakistan sent four planeloads of weapons to Saudi-backed government in Yemen: Report
Pakistan sent four cargo planes of armaments to the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government of Yemen in September as the kingdom mobilises to try to push back a sweeping Houthi offensive.
Bombs loaded, targets picked: Why Trump pulled back from striking Houthis
There is another crucial consideration: the Houthis have so far avoided attacking American ships under an understanding reached with Washington.
Trump told Fox News on Sunday that the United States remained in communication with the group and said the Houthis had agreed not to fight the US.
A senior Houthi official separately told AP that the group did not intend to target American vessels. Oman-mediated discussions have also reaffirmed the 2025 US-Houthi ceasefire arrangement.
Trump called off planned US strikes on Houthis at last minute: Report
Trump initially resisted launching airstrikes during meetings with advisers Wednesday but later ordered the Pentagon to prepare for military action following a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday, the report said.
The Saudi crown prince urged Trump to intervene directly amid rapid territorial gains by the Houthis in Yemen, according to the newspaper.
Trump returns to White House earlier than expected
The administration did not give a reason for the change of plans. Trump was originally scheduled to depart Camp David later on Sunday local time.
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Trump’s return to the White House came after the US State Department issued an alert to US citizens in the Middle East, warning that hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen have “the potential to escalate rapidly”.
Saudi Arabia confirms Yemen’s Houthi rebels tried to attack its capital with a ballistic missile
Saudi Arabia on Saturday confirmed that Yemen’s Houthi rebels tried to attack its capital with a ballistic missile, the first targeting of Riyadh since the escalation in fighting with the Tehran-backed rebels that has opened a new front in the Iran war.
The statement by the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis came long after the dawn attempt, which the coalition said was intercepted. Some residents in Riyadh heard an explosion. Later, some saw a plume of smoke near the airport. There were no reports of casualties or damage.
Statement of the African Union Commission on the Escalation in the Red Sea Region
The Commission condemns the attacks carried out by the Houthis against civilian targets and economic infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, as well as attacks and threats against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The Commission expresses particular concern over reports of attempted attacks targeting Makkah and other holy cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It stresses that holy sites, as well as civilians and pilgrims visiting them, must be fully protected and must under no circumstances become targets of military action.
The Commission further strongly reaffirms the principle of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in accordance with international law. Any action aimed at obstructing or threatening navigation along this strategic maritime route poses a serious risk not only to the littoral States, but also to international trade, global supply chains, energy security and African economies.
African Union condemns attacks on holy sites and Red Sea shipping
The organisation also emphasised that the security of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb strait was “a major strategic interest for Africa, particularly for the States of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea littoral States”.
The commission joined a number of other states, global organisations, and individuals that also came forward to condemn ongoing attacks.
Italy to deploy warships to protect shipping through Bab al-Mandeb
Italy will deploy warships to ensure safe passage for its commercial vessels through the Bab al-Mandeb strait, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said, adding that Rome would not wait for a joint decision from the European Union.
“We have the capabilities to protect the passage,” Crosetto said, warning that if the waterway became impassable, the economic consequences would be severe.
Tajani holds talks with Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Al-Zouba: focus on de-escalation and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea
(September 16, 2026)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani had a telephone conversation today with the Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Zouba. During the conversation, Tajani expressed Italy’s concern at the ongoing escalation in the country, reiterating its firm condemnation of the recent attacks by Houthi militias against the civilian population, the Yemeni regular forces and Saudi Arabia.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs then expressed Italy’s full support for the internationally recognised government of Yemen, as well as Italy’s commitment to facilitating the resumption of the peace process and to providing humanitarian assistance to the local population, which has been ravaged by years of conflict.
US clears way for $24.3-bn military aircraft sale to Saudi Arabia amid West Asia war
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-Nato ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region,” the State Department said in its official notification.
Officials said the proposed deal would enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to deter existing and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence and improve interoperability with US, regional and Nato forces.
At least 63 killed in latest fighting between Yemen government, Houthis
Fighting between the Houthis and Yemeni government forces and their Saudi backers has killed 63 people in the last 24 hours, AFP reported on Thursday, citing military sources from both sides.
At least 23 government soldiers were killed in missile and drone attacks by the Houthis in two southwestern provinces, a government official said, while Houthi military sources reported 40 fighters killed in Saudi air strikes and fighting on the ground.
Saudis and Houthis exchange strikes, Yemenis flee by boat as West Asia war spreads
Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis exchanged fresh strikes across their border on Thursday and Yemenis took to boats in the Red Sea to escape fighting, as the spreading West Asia war created new threats to global oil supplies.
Speaker Johnson Cancels Thursday House Session, Pushing Hegseth Impeachment Vote Until After Midterms
Massie argued in his eight articles of impeachment for Hegseth that passing the concurrent War Powers Resolution was one of the multiple ways Hegseth and the administration are breaking the law by continuing the Iran war.
The articles also address how Hegseth has ignored US laws designed to mitigate civilian casualties, his role in extrajudicial executions at sea (strikes on alleged drug-running boats), the attack on Venezuela to abduct President Maduro, the bombing campaign in Yemen last year, and his efforts to chill free speech.
Mecca alarm, Red Sea grip: How the Houthis have opened a new front in the war in West Asia
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen‘s Houthis said on Wednesday it had shot down a drone south of Mecca a day earlier, before it could enter the restricted airspace over Islam‘s holiest city. The coalition said „the security of the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims is a red line“ and promised deterrent measures against the Iran-backed group.
Analyse des „Blitzkrieges“ im Jemen
In der internationalen Berichterstattung wird das Ergebnis überwiegend als militärischer Erfolg AnsarAllahs dargestellt. Ein genauerer Blick auf die von CNN rekonstruierten Abläufe zeigt jedoch ein anderes Bild: weniger einen Sieg der einen Seite als einen aussergewöhnlichen Zusammenbruch der anderen – mit direkter saudischer und US-amerikanischer Beteiligung an diesem Zusammenbruch.
‚Houthis have their own issues‘: Pezeshkian says Iran not at war with Saudi Arabia
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran is “not at war with Saudi Arabia”, as tensions rise over Houthi attacks on the kingdom, Al Jazeera reported.
Pezeshkian said the Houthis have “their own issues”, distancing Iran from the group’s actions.
Will Houthis‘ rapid advance drag US, Saudi Arabia back into Yemen?
A 2022 truce had reduced large-scale combat and allowed Saudi Arabia to distance itself from the conflict, but it left the capital under Houthi control and did nothing to establish centralized control over the country and its heavy weapons.
Now, as the Houthis advance rapidly toward government strongholds in the south, Yemen’s military is scrambling to regroup and make progress on its planned offensive in the north. The question now is whether Saudi Arabia, the U.S., and other powers will now intervene to help blunt the Houthis’ rapid advances.