The Houthi rebel group announced that Saudi Arabia conducted a total of 26 airstrikes in Yemen over a 24‑hour period, according to a statement reported by Al Jazeera — All News. The claim was made amid a broader escalation of hostilities between the Iran‑aligned movement and the Saudi‑backed coalition that has been fighting in the country since 2015.
Houthi officials said the strikes targeted multiple sites across Yemen, though they did not provide detailed information on the specific locations or the number of casualties involved. The group characterized the attacks as part of a sustained campaign by Saudi Arabia to pressure the Houthis and undermine their control over large parts of the north‑western region.
The Saudi-led coalition has not issued an immediate response to the accusation. In previous statements, coalition representatives have often defended their operations as legitimate efforts to combat Houthi forces and restore the internationally recognised government of President Abd‑Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
The latest allegation arrives as diplomatic efforts to negotiate a ceasefire have stalled, with the United Nations and several regional actors urging both sides to reduce hostilities. Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that intensified air operations exacerbate the already dire conditions faced by civilians, who contend with food insecurity, displacement and limited access to health services.
The conflict, which began when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions. International observers continue to monitor the situation closely, noting that any significant increase in the frequency of airstrikes raises the risk of further civilian harm and could complicate ongoing peace initiatives.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/18/houthis-accuse-saudi-arabia-of-launching-26-strikes-in-24-hours?traffic_source=rss.