Story perspectives

Saudi-US Back Counteroffensive Targets Houthis as Food Crisis Looms

By Drooid · Oct 5, 2026, 8:00 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

President Rashad al-Alimi’s forces launched a counteroffensive against the Houthis on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia provides aerial protection and conducts airstrikes on Houthi positions.
The United States supplies intelligence and targeting data but does not conduct kinetic operations in Yemen.
Yemen may mobilize up to 100,000 troops, the largest buildup since the 2022 truce.
World Food Programme warns 18.3 million Yemenis face acute food insecurity as fighting disrupts supplies.

History

Historical Context

Saudi Arabia launched a coalition air campaign on 26 March 2015 at President Hadi’s request, deploying UAE forces and U.S. intelligence in Operation Decisive Storm, which displaced 3.5 million Yemenis and cost about $5.3 billion. Today, President Rashad al-Alimi’s troops rely on the same Saudi aerial cover and U.S. intel, risking a repeat of the 2015 humanitarian collapse.

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Story summary

President Rashad al-Alimi’s forces launched a counteroffensive against the Houthis on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia provides aerial protection and conducts airstrikes on Houthi positions.
The United States supplies intelligence and targeting data but does not conduct kinetic operations in Yemen.
Yemen may mobilize up to 100,000 troops, the largest buildup since the 2022 truce.
World Food Programme warns 18.3 million Yemenis face acute food insecurity as fighting disrupts supplies.

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