1. Four-Year Ceasefire
—In April 2022, Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels reached a ceasefire agreement under UN mediation. Although the agreement expired in October of the same year and was not renewed, both sides maintained a tacit understanding to avoid resuming large-scale fighting, forming a nearly four-year "de facto truce."
2. Trigger for Resumption of Conflict
—On July 13, 2026, Saudi Arabia breached the Houthi-controlled Sana'a International Airport. The Houthis then retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia and announced the end of the "de-escalation phase."
3. Rapid Escalation of Conflict—
① In late July 2026, the Houthis announced a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and attacked Saudi oil facilities along the Red Sea coast.
② In August 2026, Saudi ships were frequently attacked in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Houthis also struck Saudi-related military targets in several parts of Yemen.
③ In September 2026, the Houthi rebels launched a large-scale offensive in western Yemen, claiming to have captured approximately 5,400 square kilometers of land in nine days and gained control of several strategic locations along the Red Sea coast.
Most crucially, between September 10th and 11th, they seized the port city of Muha, the town of Zubab near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Perim Island within the strait.
This gave the Houthis near control of Yemen's entire western coastline, posing a direct threat to Red Sea shipping.
④ On September 14th, 2026, the Houthi rebels announced a major and precise strike against Saudi Arabia's Khamis Mushait airbase and infrastructure.
