More than 233,000 displaced as GCC condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as Yemen fighting intensifies

Gulf bloc backs Saudi Arabia

The GCC said attacks against one member affected all six countries. It invoked the bloc’s joint defence agreement and affirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to defend itself. Gulf ministers accused Houthi fighters of deadly attacks on civilian airports and important facilities. They also welcomed an October 15 statement by the UN Security Council condemning strikes on Saudi Arabia and threats to shipping in the Red Sea.

Yemen raises concerns at UN

In correspondence to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Aglaia Balta, the Security Council’s president for October, Yemen’s government described an assault on the presidential palace in Aden. The city is serving as the government’s temporary base.

Fighting strains communities

Saudi-backed government forces are continuing offensives on several fronts. Commanders aligned with the government said eight soldiers were killed in clashes in Lahij province on Saturday. The latest stage of the war followed Houthi advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast last month. More than 233,000 people have been displaced across the country, including about 121,000 in Taiz province, where fighting has interrupted supply routes.

A local office monitoring the siege said food costs had climbed to five times their previous level. Taiz is also facing critical shortages of oxygen and medicines while dealing with a cholera outbreak.