Yemen and the Red Sea

Yahya Saree claims Houthi forces again repelled a Saudi-backed advance from Lahj toward Bab al-Mandab

This version is a correction.

ATTACK
Location
Lahj approaches toward Bab al-Mandab, Yemen (engagement site not geolocated — ±25 km)
Actors
Houthis · Saudi Arabia
Importance
Standard

Yemeni Armed Forces spokesman Yahya Saree said on 9 October 2026 that, for the second time within hours, Houthi forces had blocked and driven back Saudi-backed units trying to advance from Lahj toward Bab al-Mandab, striking them with ballistic missiles, artillery and heavy weapons. He claimed more than 22 armored vehicles were destroyed and dozens killed or wounded, including commanders, and that more than 30 ambulances reached Aden with dead and wounded. Al-Masirah relayed the same claim. In a conflicting account, sources cited by Al Arabiya said the Southern Giants Brigades seized high ground overlooking the Al-Ardhi military camp in the Bab al-Mandab area; neither side's claims are independently verified and no figures are combined.

X · @Osint613unverified

Footage relayed by Osint613 said to show Southern Giants Brigades forces breaking through Houthi checkpoints in the Bab al-Mandab area, 9 October 2026 (not geolocated).

Credit Osint613 via X

Play contacts video.twimg.com directly.

Verification: unverified

Evidence: Yahya Saree: second-in-hours claim of repelling Saudi-backed advance from Lahj toward Bab al-Mandab; 22+ armored vehicles destroyed, Al-Masirah relays Yahya Saree: repelled Saudi-backed massing from Lahj toward Bab al-Mandab a second time, Osint613: Southern Giants Brigades seized high ground overlooking Al-Ardhi military camp in Bab al-Mandab, per Al Arabiya sources

Houthi official claim (Yahya Saree) relayed by Al-Masirah, contradicted by an Al Arabiya-sourced counter-claim of Giants Brigades advances (via Osint613). Both are one-sided and unverified; figures are not combined.