Saudi air strikes leave 10 dead, 14 injured in Yemen

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Fire and smoke rise, following an explosion, during a strike at a marketplace in Al Hajaf, Lahij Governorate, Yemen, in this screengrab taken from a social media video released on September 21, 2026. — Reuters
Fire and smoke rise, following an explosion, during a strike at a marketplace in Al Hajaf, Lahij Governorate, Yemen, in this screengrab taken from a social media video released on September 21, 2026. — Reuters

DUBAI: Saudi airstrikes killed 10 people and wounded 14 others over the past 24 hours, Houthi-affiliated media reported on Wednesday, as the group warned they will attack US interests in the Middle East if Washington intervenes in the country’s conflict to support Saudi Arabia.

The threat of regional escalation comes after Houthis staged a lightning offensive in recent weeks to gain control over Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait.

A Houthi military adviser told AFP the group would strike American targets if the US attempts to unblock the narrow shipping lane.

Houthis threaten to attack US interests if Washington supports Riyadh-led strikes

“If America dares to intervene militarily with its fleets or tries to take control of Bab al-Mandab, it is a red line for them and anyone else … we will fight over it,” military adviser Abed Mohammed al-Thawr said. “If America gambles on supporting Saudi Arabia with airstrikes or air support … we will consider any American interests around us to be targets and we will not exclude anything,” he added.

Thawr also noted the group would “close Bab al-Mandab completely to American ships” in the event of an intervention.

The statements follow US reports that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Yemen’s government requested military assistance from US President Donald Trump.

On the ground, violence continues to escalate. Al-Masirah TV reported on Wednesday that recent Saudi airstrikes resulted in dozens of casualties across two governorates. “Eight civilians were killed and 11 others wounded in Taiz, while two civilians were killed and three others wounded in Al-Jawf,” the channel said.

The Houthis say Saudi Arabia has conducted hundreds of strikes in Yemen since a four-year truce collapsed in July. In retaliation, the Houthis have aimed drone and missile strikes at Saudi sites, targeting the capital, Riyadh.

“As long as Saudi Arabia insists on and continues killing our country and striking our people, we will strike with an iron fist,” Thawr said.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2026

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