Explosions reported in Sanaa amid renewed Yemen conflict

On the night of October 1, 2026, at least three powerful explosions were heard in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital controlled by the Houthi movement. The Houthi-affiliated SABA news agency reported that a Saudi-led offensive was underway against Sanaa and other cities across various provinces, with video footage capturing thick columns of smoke rising over the capital.

Simultaneously, the Saudi-led military coalition announced that it successfully intercepted and destroyed four drones launched by the Houthis toward Khamis Mushait, along with two ballistic missiles targeting the southern Saudi regions of Khamis Mushait and Jizan. This escalation occurs as Yemen faces a major resurgence of hostilities following years of relative de-escalation. The conflict intensified significantly in July 2026, involving large-scale fighting between the Houthi movement, which maintains control over northern territories and Red Sea coastal areas, and the internationally recognized government supported by a regional coalition.