Saudi Arabia Attacks Taiz, Yemen, Leaving 7 Dead

Houthi media reported that Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on the southwest Yemeni region of Taiz. The attacks reportedly killed seven people and injured dozens of others.

According to AFP on Sunday (27/09/2026), the Iran-backed Houthi group’s Al-Masirah TV channel stated that the strikes killed seven individuals and wounded 40 others in a market in downtown Taiz. The attack occurred minutes after reports emerged that Saudi fighter jets were targeting the area.

After years of relatively calm, the Yemeni war reignited in July amidst the expanding conflict in the Middle East. Fighting intensified in September as the Houthis launched lightning strikes, allowing them to control the entire Yemeni Red Sea coast, including the vital Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Simultaneously, the Houthis have imposed a blockade on Saudi energy exports, which were already hindered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran.

On Saturday, Saudi Arabia announced it had intercepted two Houthi drones heading towards the capital, Riyadh. Schools in Riyadh announced they would switch to remote learning for one week without providing a specific reason, according to emails sent to parents seen by AFP.

Taiz, a major city controlled by the internationally recognised government, is currently on the front lines of the battle between the Houthis and government forces.

The Yemeni war broke out in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, from the Saudi-backed government, before subsequently seizing vast territories in the northern part of the country.

Despite receiving Saudi support, Yemeni government forces have not yet been able to repel the latest Houthi offensives.

Nevertheless, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree reported on Saturday that the Saudi air force launched 27 strikes targeting the provinces of Taiz, Marib, Saada, Amran, Ibb, and Hajjah.