Houthi forces advance in Yemen as reports emerge of cancelled US airstrikes

Houthis fighters intensified their offensive on September 21, moving to capture strategic highland positions in Yemen that would isolate the Red Sea coastline from the areas still held by Saudi‑backed forces. The advance aims to secure elevated terrain that could give the Iran‑aligned group greater control over supply routes and limit the mobility of opposing troops.

The offensive follows reports that the United States had prepared to launch air strikes against the Houthis on September 20 after renewed appeals from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to a U.S. newspaper, President Donald Trump halted the operation at the last minute, even as bombs were being loaded onto aircraft. U.S. Central Command did not respond to requests for comment, and the claim could not be independently verified.

On September 19, the Houthis announced that they had fired on the Saudi capital, Riyadh, producing loud explosions and visible columns of smoke near the city’s airport. Saudi officials have not commented on the incident, which appears to be the first apparent strike on the capital since the conflict escalated. The group, which has held Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, since 2014, also seized control of the country’s Red Sea coast in a rapid September advance that pushed back forces of the internationally recognized government and its allies.

Washington has so far declined repeated requests from the Saudi Crown Prince to intervene militarily in Yemen. The United States has not announced any new operations against the Houthis, and its military leadership has not provided further details on the reported cancellation of the planned air strikes.

The Houthis’ push into the highlands expands the war into a new theatre and raises concerns about the security of global energy supplies, as the Red Sea is a major conduit for oil shipments. The development underscores the widening scope of the Middle East conflict and the challenges faced by regional and international actors seeking to contain its impact.