Latest news in Yemen? September 12th, 2026

Yemen has experienced a major military escalation along its western coastline and southern approaches, marking the sharpest flare-up in the civil war since the 2022 truce. China Daily

• Bab al-Mandab Strait and Island Takeovers: Houthi forces completed their seizure of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast, taking full control of the Bab al-Mandab area. This follows the capture of key strategic islands in the waterway, including Mayyun (Perim) Island and the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, as well as the port city of Mokha. China Daily+ 1
• Advances Toward the South: Following the collapse of government defensive lines on the coast, Houthi units have pushed beyond the strait into Lahj Governorate. Forces aligned with the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) have fallen back toward Khor Omeira, roughly 90 km west of the interim capital of Aden, prompting security reinforcements around Aden’s western perimeters. China Daily+ 1
• Maritime and Regional Impact: While Houthi military officials claimed that general international commercial shipping remains open, they reiterated restrictions and targeted threats against Saudi vessels. Regional tensions deepened further following missile exchanges and drone strikes on Saudi infrastructure. China Daily+ 1
• Severe Humanitarian Toll: The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that the rapid offensive in the West Coast and Taiz governorates has displaced more than 46,000 civilians within days. Severe disruptions have cut key transit corridorsincluding the Mokha–Taiz routestraining overwhelmed local medical facilities and displacement camps across southern Yemen. UN News – the United Nations