Yemen War 2026

Yemen's war began in 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition intervened against Houthi forces that had seized the capital Sanaa. A decade later, no peace has been achieved. Since late 2023, the Houthis have dramatically expanded the conflict's international dimension by attacking over 150 commercial ships in the Red Sea — disrupting global shipping and provoking US and UK military counter-strikes. Yemen remains one of the world's worst humanitarian catastrophes with millions facing starvation.

Background

The Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) emerged from Yemen's northern Saada region, rooted in the Zaidi Shia revival of the 1990s. After years of armed conflict with the Yemeni government, Houthis swept south and seized Sanaa in 2014–15, prompting the internationally recognized government to flee to Aden and then Saudi Arabia.

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia launched a military coalition intervention to restore the government. The war has since killed an estimated 150,000 people (direct and indirect), with millions more at risk of famine. Iran provides significant support to the Houthis in the form of weapons, financing, and training.

Current Situation (March 2026)

Since late 2023, the Houthis have opened a new front by attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming solidarity with Gaza. Over 150 vessels have been targeted. The US and UK have conducted extensive counter-strikes on Houthi military infrastructure in Yemen. The Red Sea disruption has significantly impacted global trade, forcing ships to reroute around Africa.

CFR's 2026 risk assessment flags continued Houthi attacks as a high-likelihood, high-impact event with escalation potential. A formal peace process between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthis remains stalled.

Regional Hotspots

• Sanaa (Houthi-held)CRITICAL — military target, air strikes
• Hodeidah / Red SeaCRITICAL — shipping attacks, US/UK strikes
• Ma'rib (frontline)CRITICAL — ongoing battles
• HadhramautHIGH — contested, oil region
• AdenMEDIUM — government seat, periodic attacks

Key Actors

Houthis (Ansar Allah)

Control Sanaa and most of northwestern Yemen including the population centers. Backed by Iran with weapons, drones, and ballistic missiles. Since late 2023 have conducted sustained Red Sea shipping attacks, significantly escalating the international dimension of the conflict.

Saudi-led Coalition & Yemeni Government

The internationally recognized Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia and UAE. The Saudi coalition has conducted widespread airstrikes on Yemen, including on civilian infrastructure, documented by UN investigations as potential war crimes. Coalition interest in maintaining the conflict has been questioned given the role of Yemen's chaos in containing Iranian influence.

United States & United Kingdom

Have conducted extensive military strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen since late 2023 in response to Red Sea shipping attacks. Operations have significantly degraded Houthi military infrastructure but have not stopped the attacks.