Loud explosions were heard in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Saturday as Houthi authorities reported airstrikes in the area by Saudi forces.
Al-Masirah TV, a media outlet affiliated with the Iran-backed Houthis, described the reported attacks as “Saudi aggression” but gave no details about the targets or any casualties.
The channel had earlier reported missile strikes on telecommunications infrastructure in Saada governorate in north-western Yemen, a stronghold of the Houthis.
The Houthis also claimed that Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes on Sanaa on Thursday night, marking the first such reported attacks on the capital since renewed fighting between the two sides began in July.
Yemen had experienced several years of relative calm following a fragile truce, but the country was plunged back into intense conflict in July.
The renewed fighting pits the Houthis, who control much of north-western Yemen, against the internationally recognised government, which is based in Aden and backed by neighbouring Saudi Arabia.
The government controls much of southern and eastern Yemen, an area that is geographically larger but less densely populated.
The latest escalation followed the arrival of an Iranian aircraft in Sanaa carrying a Houthi delegation. The flight reportedly did not seek Saudi authorisation, breaking a practice that had been in place for about a decade.
Saudi Arabia responded with strikes on Sanaa airport, while the Houthis subsequently launched attacks on Saudi territory for the first time since 2022.
Fighting has since intensified, with the Houthis launching an offensive that resulted in their capture of coastal areas along the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The Houthis have also claimed attacks on several Saudi targets, including oil infrastructure and areas around the capital, Riyadh. They have additionally announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi ships in the Red Sea.
Recent fighting has focused heavily on Taiz, where about 80 combatants were reportedly killed on Friday, according to sources on both sides.
The battle for Taiz has been fought across several fronts, including highland areas overlooking coastal territory recently captured by the Houthis.
Meanwhile, reports on Saturday said a large plume of smoke and fires had been seen near an oil facility in Riyadh, although details surrounding the incident remained unclear.
Saudi Arabia has reportedly sought assistance from the United States as the conflict escalates, but US President Donald Trump has so far declined the request.
