Yemen: Fighting in Bab al-Mandab as Saudi Arabia Intercepts Ballistic Missiles
- 2026-10-27
- 20:05:44
Aden – A government military source reported on Tuesday that fierce fighting had resumed in the Bab al-Mandab region, coinciding with airstrikes launched by Saudi warplanes against Houthi positions. The source confirmed casualties among the Houthis.
The source stated that the Southern Giants Brigades and the Homeland Shield forces were advancing slowly in the area due to the density of landmines planted by the Houthis, as well as the presence of snipers in the surrounding mountains.
In a statement, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said that the group's forces had repelled an advance by Houthi reinforcements from the southern direction of Bab al-Mandab. He indicated that these reinforcements were targeted with ballistic missiles and heavy weapons.
Saree added that the attack resulted in a large number of casualties, with ambulances rushing to the targeted locations. He also claimed that several vehicles were destroyed and the advance attempt was thwarted.
The renewed fighting in Bab al-Mandab coincides with an escalation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The group's military spokesman announced on Tuesday that they had targeted the Saudi Ministry of Defense in Riyadh and the Ras Tanura oil refinery in the east of the kingdom with ballistic missiles, though there was no Saudi confirmation of these claims regarding the targeted sites.
The spokesman, Yahya Saree, said that the group's forces targeted the Ministry of Defense in Riyadh, adding that the missile directly hit its target.
In contrast, Saudi Arabia announced that it had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward Riyadh.
Saree also announced that the Ras Tanura refinery had been targeted with a ballistic missile, claiming that the attack caused large fires at the site. The British maritime security company Vanguard reported a fire in the Ras Tanura area in the early hours of Tuesday, noting that it had been contained. The extent of the damage and the potential impact on oil loading operations remained unclear.
Earlier this month, Yemeni government forces announced the launch of a military operation called "Dawn of Yemen," aimed at retaking areas controlled by the Houthis on the western coast. They also announced territorial gains in areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, while clashes continue amid conflicting reports regarding territorial control.