Updated

Yemen's internationally recognised government, backed by Saudi Arabia, launched a sweeping offensive against the Iran-aligned Houthis, claiming to have seized Mocha and Dhubab districts near the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait and begun a 'strategic offensive' in the Houthi-held capital Sanaa. Government forces claimed over 1,100 strikes and nearly 1,750 Houthi fighters killed, though the Houthis disputed the Mocha claim and retaliated by striking Riyadh's King Khaled International Airport, declaring Saudi airspace an open target. In response, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan activated the 'Mecca Pact,' agreeing to deploy rapid-response forces and 'collective deterrence' measures to Saudi territory. The escalation drew international reaction: US President Trump predicted the Saudi-Yemeni offensive would 'work out very well,' Secretary of State Rubio affirmed Saudi Arabia's right to self-defence, Qatar's emir pledged support for Yemen's sovereignty, and the US issued a security warning for citizens in Saudi Arabia. The fighting marks the worst flare-up since a 2022 truce and has displaced roughly 130,000 Yemenis, with video showing atrocities including an armoured vehicle running over surrendering men.