The military of Yemen’s internationally recognized government reported that its forces have killed approximately 1,150 Houthi fighters in targeted operations over the past 24 hours. Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, the spokesman for Yemeni government forces, stated that these casualties occurred during nearly 2,000 targeted operations as part of operation 'Dawn of Yemen'. He noted that the army had destroyed Houthi ammunition dumps and at least 180 combat, transport, and supply vehicles. Al-Nazili added that ground forces are continuing their assault. Al Jazeera could not independently verify these claims.
An attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday resulted in casualties and flight cancellations. When asked about potential U.S. involvement in strikes against the Houthis following the attack, President Donald Trump indicated he would make a decision soon. Al Jazeera reporter Yousef Mawry noted that the Houthis had not claimed responsibility for the airport attack but had warned aviation companies to avoid Saudi airspace, stating that any aircraft operating there, except over the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, would be considered a target.
Mawry also reported that the Houthis are preparing to engage in combat on multiple fronts, including against international actors such as Pakistan. The Houthis indicated that if Pakistan participates in military actions against them on behalf of Saudi Arabia, they would be treated similarly to Saudi forces. There are plans to launch ballistic missiles toward Pakistan and to target Pakistan-flagged vessels in the Red and Arabian seas.
Baraa Shiban, an associate fellow in international security and Yemen expert at the Royal United Services Institute, stated that the fighting is escalating and there is currently no mediation occurring to de-escalate the situation. The Saudi-backed Yemeni forces are advancing toward the Houthis to recapture areas around the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a vital trade route for global shipping. Battles are intensifying around the strategic Yemeni cities of Mocha and Dhubab, which are crucial for controlling the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The Houthis have controlled Sanaa and parts of northwestern Yemen since 2014 and seized the area in September, claiming control of the strait, although both sides assert control over the shipping lanes.