Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of deadly strikes as thousands flee

Supporters of the Houthi authorities protest against the Saudi intervention in Yemen and against Riyadh's recent accusation that the Houthis fired at the holy city of Mecca, in Yemen's western Red Sea city of Hodeida, on Sept. 18. | AFP-JIJI

AFP-Jiji

Sep 23, 2026

Sanaa – Yemen’s Houthis accused Saudi Arabia on Tuesday of launching a wave of deadly strikes that killed civilians and prison inmates, as Riyadh seeks to repel an offensive that has seen the Iran-backed group seize strategic territory.

The recent Houthi takeover of Yemen’s Red Sea coast has left hundreds dead and heightened fears over global trade and shipping through the vital Bab al-Mandab strait.

It has also forced thousands to flee, with the United Nations on Tuesday forecasting the number of displaced could swell from over 130,000 today to more than 230,000 in the coming months.

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