Toplines

Houthi and Yemeni government-aligned forces continue to fight over contested high ground overlooking Houthi positions and ground lines of communication (GLOC) near the Bab al Mandeb Strait. Yemeni government-aligned forces claimed on September 25 that they seized Houthi positions on Jabal Naman on the Lahij-Taiz Governorate border in southwestern Yemen, while the Houthis later claimed that they repelled these advances on September 26.[1]  ISW-CTP is unable to verify either of these claims. An open-source intelligence (OSINT) account on X geolocated a Yemeni government-aligned National Shield Forces drone strike on a Houthi position at Jabal Naman on September 25.[2] The same OSINT account geolocated engagements between Yemeni government-aligned forces and the Houthis on Jabal Naman on September 26.[3] Yemeni government-aligned forces separately posted footage on September 25 of their forces launching anti-tank guided missiles at Houthi vehicles near Jabal Kahbub, which is approximately 30 kilometers north of Houthi positions by the Bab al Mandeb Strait.[4]

Saudi and Yemeni government-aligned forces continue to target Houthi weapons stockpiles and GLOCs on the eastern, southwestern, and northern fronts in Yemen. Saudi and Yemeni government-aligned forces launched two drone strikes targeting a Houthi weapons depot and a vehicle carrying military equipment in Jubah District in southern Marib Governorate and al Kasara in northwestern Marib Governorate, respectively, on September 26, according to Saudi media.[5] Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea claimed that Saudi Arabia launched 27 airstrikes targeting bridges and roads in Taiz, Marib, Saada, Amran, Ibb, and Hajjah governorates in eastern and northern Yemen.[6] These strikes were likely intended to disrupt the Houthis’ ability to use key GLOCs. An OSINT account on X shared footage from September 26 of damage to al Dalil Bridge in al Makhadir District in Ibb Governorate following Saudi airstrikes.[7] The bridge is located on a GLOC between Sanaa and the frontline near Taiz in southwestern Yemen. The strike on this bridge was likely intended to disrupt the Houthis’ ability to transport supplies and resources from the Houthi capital to the frontline near Taiz.

The Houthis continued to conduct drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and threatened to conduct attacks against Saudi command-and-control sites if Saudi Arabia violates unspecified Houthi “red lines.” Saudi air defenses have intercepted two Houthi ballistic missiles near Khamis Mushait and two Houthi drones near Riyadh since  ISW-CTP’s last data cutoff at 2:00 PM ET on September 25.[8] The Saudi Civil Defense issued early warning alerts for Khamis Mushait, Jizan Province, and Abha City on September 25.[9] Houthi Defense Minister Mohammed al Atifi and Houthi Chief of Staff Yusuf al Madani threatened additional drone and missile attacks against Saudi military bases, strategic interests, and economic targets throughout Saudi Arabia on September 25.[10] The officials also warned that the Houthis could attack Saudi command-and-control sites if Saudi Arabia crossed the Houthis’ “red lines,” though they did not specify what those red lines are.[11] The officials further stated that Saudi alliances will not protect the kingdom from Houthi attacks.[12] This Houthi threat comes amid recent pledges by the United Kingdom and France to provide defensive military support against Houthi attacks.[13] The Saudi, Pakistani, and Turkish Armed Forces chiefs also met in Riyadh on September 25 to discuss military cooperation.[14] Pakistan and Turkey are parties to a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia.[15]