Conflict & Security
Yemen fighting tops 500 dead, AFP tally shows
Renewed fighting in Yemen has killed more than 500 people, mostly combatants, according to an AFP tally based on sources from each side, as the Houthis said Saudi Arabia struck Yemen after the group targeted Saudi oil facilities.
Houthi-run Almasirah TV said “Saudi aggression” hit Taiz province, where fighting has raged for days, and Marib province. Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on the reported strikes.
Saudi authorities said overnight Houthi attacks on oil sites injured 73 people and caused temporary shutdowns. The Houthis said they fired dozens of ballistic missiles at Abha International Airport, King Khalid air base and facilities belonging to state oil company Aramco in Abha and Jizan. A Saudi energy ministry source quoted by the Saudi Press Agency said several energy-sector facilities and installations in the south were targeted, causing fires and temporary halts in some operations.
The European Union urged the Houthis to “end all attacks” inside and outside Yemen, including attacks on Red Sea shipping. The UN secretary-general also condemned the attacks.
The fighting follows the collapse in July of a four-year truce between the Houthis and Yemen's Saudi-backed government. On Thursday, the Houthis launched a campaign to control the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key Red Sea route. Since then, sources from both sides have reported at least 216 government forces and 278 Houthi fighters killed. At least 29 civilians have also been killed.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the kingdom supported diplomacy but would defend itself and protect its interests. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that “behind some of this is clearly the Iranian hand”.
Update
The UN secretary-general condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Saudi civil defence briefly warned of potential danger in three border areas before lifting the alerts.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that behind some of the attacks was “clearly the Iranian hand”.
The Houthis said a Monday prison attack killed 11 people and left 20 inmates missing.
Source note: AFP news report published on 8 September 2026 at 18:21:55 UTC.
Update
The European Union urged the Houthis to "end all attacks" after strikes on Saudi Arabia.
Source note: AFP news report published on 8 September 2026 at 18:15:02 UTC.
Update
The Houthis said Saudi Arabia carried out retaliatory strikes on Tuesday in Taiz and Marib provinces.
Saudi Arabia had no immediate comment on the reported retaliatory strikes.
Fighting since the Houthi campaign began on Thursday has killed more than 500 people, mostly combatants, according to an AFP tally based on sources from each camp.
Sources from both sides said at least 216 government forces and 278 Houthi fighters had been killed since Thursday.
At least 29 civilians have also been killed.
Saudi Arabia's civil defence agency briefly warned of potential danger in three areas bordering Yemen before lifting the alerts.
Source note: AFP news report published on 8 September 2026 at 18:07:49 UTC.
Update
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the Houthi cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Guterres's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the attacks affected civilians and energy infrastructure.
The UN expressed concern over reports of civilian casualties.
Source note: AFP news report published on 8 September 2026 at 17:25:28 UTC.
Update
Saudi authorities said 73 people were injured.
Saudi Arabia said it would take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty.
The Saudi-led coalition also said it would respond to the attacks.
Houthi media said Abha International Airport, King Khalid air base and Aramco facilities in Abha and Jizan were hit.
Source note: AFP news report published on 8 September 2026 at 10:38:43 UTC.
Update
Saudi Arabia attributed the attacks to Yemen's Houthi rebels.
The targeted facilities were described as being in the southern region of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia said the attacks caused several injuries.
Saudi Arabia said fires broke out at several locations.
Source note: AFP news report published on 8 September 2026 at 06:00:43 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on the Houthi report of Saudi strikes on Taiz and Marib.
The casualty tally is based on sources from each camp, and the sources requested anonymity for the combatant figures.
Analysts dispute the extent to which the Houthis act independently or follow Tehran.
Source
AFP news report published on .