Sanaa (AFP) - Agence France-Presse correspondents in Sanaa reported on Saturday hearing strong explosions accompanied by billowing smoke, at a time when media outlets affiliated with the Iran-backed Houthis announced that the Yemeni capital had been subjected to raids carried out by Saudi Arabia, which supports the internationally recognized government.

Published on: 03/10/2026 - 13:44

A reporter heard the beginning of at least five raids in different areas, while another reporter saw two warplanes dropping missiles on targets in the city controlled by the Houthis since late 2014. The two correspondents reported renewed bombing at a later time.

For its part, the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV confirmed that Sanaa had been subjected to a "Saudi aggression" without providing details regarding the targets or whether it resulted in casualties.

It had reported earlier on Saturday that “the Saudi enemy is targeting with missiles the communications network in the Saqin district of Saada,” the rebel stronghold in northern Yemen.

The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of bombing Sanaa on Thursday night - Friday, for the first time since the resumption of escalation between the two parties after years of calm.

The conflict in Yemen has witnessed an escalation since July between the Houthis on the one hand, and Saudi Arabia and the government it supports. It is the most violent since the two sides of the war reached a truce under the auspices of the United Nations in 2022.

The Houthis accuse Riyadh of bombing areas under their control in Yemen, and in return, they target Saudi areas with marches and missiles. They also announced the imposition of a naval blockade on Saudi ships in the Red Sea.

On September 11, the Houthis completed their control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the entire western coast of Yemen overlooking the Red Sea, after launching a massive attack and the withdrawal of government forces from several areas.

Battles continue between the two sides in southwest Yemen, especially in Taiz Governorate. Sources from both sides reported on Friday that the clashes left eighty dead during the past twenty-four hours.

Taiz is considered the third largest city in Yemen in terms of population. Government forces are holed up there, while the Houthis control several areas around it.

© 2026 AFP

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