Saudi Arabia warns of firm response after Houthi attacks wound 13 civilians

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, that it would react firmly to attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement after a series of ballistic missile and drone strikes wounded 13 civilians in the kingdom's south.

The warning came as Saudi Civil Defence issued an all-clear after earlier alerts for potential danger in six cities, including Yanbu, the kingdom's main Red Sea oil port, where millions of barrels a day are loaded for export. The agency said the danger had passed in Jeddah, Abha, Jazan, AlUla and Taif after those areas received emergency alerts amid an increase in Houthi attacks.

The Houthis have been engaged in renewed fighting with Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces since Yemen's civil war reignited in July. That month, the group declared a maritime blockade on Riyadh and began targeting ships in the Red Sea. Last week, the Houthis seized control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a development described as a significant blow to Yemeni government forces.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a narrow waterway between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It is one of the world's most important shipping lanes, used by vessels carrying oil, gas and consumer goods between Europe, Asia and Africa. Control of the strait and the nearby Yemeni coast gives the Houthis the ability to threaten maritime traffic, a concern for global trade and energy supplies.

The latest escalation is complicated by the wider US-Iran war, which has choked the Strait of Hormuz, another vital chokepoint for oil shipments. With Hormuz disrupted, the Red Sea route and the Bab al-Mandab Strait have become even more important. The Houthis' move to seize Yemen's Red Sea coast therefore carries consequences beyond Yemen's borders.

Yemen has been mired in conflict for more than a decade. The Houthis took control of large parts of the country, including the capital Sanaa, in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to restore the internationally recognised government. The war has caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions of people dependent on aid.

In recent weeks, the conflict has intensified again. The Houthis' declaration of a maritime blockade on Riyadh and their attacks on ships in the Red Sea have raised fears of a broader regional confrontation. Saudi Arabia, which backs the Yemeni government, has a direct interest in protecting its southern border and its Red Sea ports.

Saudi Civil Defence alerts on Tuesday covered six cities, including Yanbu, Jeddah, Abha, Jazan, AlUla and Taif. Yanbu is particularly significant because it is a major terminal for Saudi oil exports. Any disruption there could affect global energy markets. The all-clear suggests the immediate threat has receded, but the warning from Riyadh indicates that the kingdom is prepared to respond militarily if attacks continue.

The situation remains volatile. Diplomatic efforts to end Yemen's civil war have repeatedly stalled. With regional tensions high and key shipping routes under threat, the coming days will be closely watched by governments, shipping companies and energy markets alike.