Fighting continues in Yemen, with Houthi rebels engaged in battles against Saudi-backed government forces for control of strategic mountains near the Red Sea. Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi issued a warning to the United States against direct military involvement in the ongoing conflict. The clashes on Monday follow a report by The New York Times stating that US President Donald Trump had ordered air strikes against the Houthis on Sunday but called them off at the last minute. The renewed hostilities have resulted in at least 674 deaths and the displacement of over 158,000 people, according to officials.
Witnesses reported that the Houthis, who recently seized Yemen’s Red Sea coast including the port of Mocha, are now fighting for control of the Kahboub Mountains in Taiz and Lahj provinces. Control of these mountains, which overlook the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Mayyun Island, would allow the Houthis to sever the coast from the remaining government-held southern areas. Al Jazeera’s Maha Ali reported that the Kahboub Mountains have become the main battlefield due to their strategic importance.
Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has urged the US to join the fight against the Houthis. The Houthis claimed an attack on Riyadh for the first time since the recent escalation. However, Washington has reportedly rejected these requests. The New York Times stated that the Trump administration had prepared for air strikes against the Houthis after requests from Riyadh but ultimately decided against it.
Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi commented on the situation, suggesting that the US was considering a joint escalation with Saudi Arabia. He warned against escalation, stating that those who support the oppressor bear moral and legal consequences. He also called on Pakistan and Turkiye, which have defense agreements with Saudi Arabia, to refrain from involvement.
Analysts noted that Trump’s decision to call off the strikes reflects his administration’s reluctance to engage in new military commitments in a region where US forces are already stretched thin. Jason Campbell, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, remarked on the difficult position Trump faced in balancing relations with Saudi Arabia and the military implications of further involvement.
Yemeni government forces reported strikes against Houthi fighters and supply lines near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and in al-Bayda governorate, claiming to have shot down a Houthi drone in southwestern Taiz. Major-General Abdulaziz al-Majidi stated that government forces and allied tribal fighters had liberated several areas on the outskirts of Taiz. However, Al Jazeera could not verify these claims.
The Houthis reported that Saudi Arabia conducted at least 157 air attacks in various provinces on Monday, resulting in civilian casualties. The World Health Organization reported that 674 people had been killed and nearly 3,000 injured since August 6, with significant casualties reported between September 13 and 18.
The ongoing conflict has exacerbated hunger in Yemen, where over 18 million people face acute food insecurity. Carl Skau, acting executive director of the World Food Programme, noted the dire conditions for displaced individuals arriving in camps. A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that continued fighting could lead to further damage to Yemen and its people, while the UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, remains in contact with all parties involved in the conflict.