The Yemen Review Quarterly: April-June 2026

The arrival of two Iranian aircraft in Houthi-held Yemen in early July triggered a rapidly escalating confrontation, leading to Saudi-Houthi exchanges of fire on a scale not seen since the 2022 truce. The Houthis announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, claimed attacks on three ships in the Red Sea, and targeted Saudi airports and oil infrastructure. In response, Yemeni government forces targeted runways at Sana’a Airport, while Riyadh launched strikes against Houthi military and telecommunications sites on the coast of Hudaydah. Between April 1 and 6, the Houthis launched four missile and drone attacks toward Israel in what they framed as solidarity with Palestine, Iran, and other members of the Axis of Resistance. The Houthis paused attacks on Israel following a ceasefire between the US and Iran on April 8, but resumed on June 8 as the US-Iran war stumbles on. Between April and June, regular low-level fighting was…