Yemen: Coalition forces conduct airstrikes against Al-Houthi targets in Ma'rib, Al-Jawf, and Saada governorates Sept. 25

Event

Saudi-led coalition forces conducted several airstrikes on Al-Houthi targets in Yemen's Ma'rib, Al-Jawf, and Saada governorates late Sept. 25, resulting in an unspecified number of casualties.

The Al-Houthi rebels will almost certainly retaliate by launching weaponized drones and missiles against Saudi provinces and cities. Additional Saudi-led coalition airstrikes are likely in the coming days.

Context

The lack of objective sources covering the conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and Al-Houthi rebels makes it challenging to independently verify reports of coalition airstrikes inside Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition has repeatedly come under criticism due to the high number of civilian casualties resulting from airstrikes, with international human rights groups frequently accusing the alliance of striking nonmilitary targets.

Intense fighting for Ma'arib, in particular, has been ongoing since February, when Al-Houthi forces launched an offensive to take the region. Ma'arib Governorate is a focus of Yemen's petroleum industry and home to a refinery that processes 10,000 barrels of oil per day.