The United Arab Emirates agreed to resume payments to government forces fighting Iran-aligned Houthis in southern Yemen. Saudi Arabia agreed to provide air cover for the anti-Houthi force.
The UAE had previously quit operations inside Yemen in January. Yemen's UN-recognised government declared a counteroffensive last week to drive Houthi forces from Sana’a.
At least 5 people died and 16 were injured when Houthis attacked a presidential palace in Aden a day before an airport strike. Two missiles fired by the Houthis struck the airport of Aden on Friday, landing within the city's airport perimeter.
The Houthis stated the attack targeted a weapons depot and the command headquarters of Saudi forces. Yemeni Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani denounced the attack on the presidential palace as a "continuation of (the Houthis') criminal pattern".
The Saudi-led military coalition intercepted and destroyed 3 drones in the southern area and Riyadh, along with 2 cruise missiles over the Red Sea on Friday. A ballistic missile was also intercepted and destroyed by the coalition over Yanbu.
The coalition reported that Houthi attacks have targeted Riyadh's airport at least 20 times so far this month. The Saudi-led coalition destroyed Houthi ballistic missile launch ramps in northwestern Saada province.
The UN Security Council adopted a presidential statement on 15 October 2026 asserting Saudi Arabia’s right to act in self-defence. The UN Security Council also adopted a presidential statement condemning Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Dr Rayed Krimly claimed Iran continued to arm, train and support the Houthi militia in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Esmaeil Baqaei rejected any claim that Iran has played a role in Yemeni operations.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el Sisi claimed Egypt would only defend Saudi Arabia and not take any offensive action. More than 200,000 people have been displaced according to the UN.
The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 after Houthis seized the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and several provinces in September 2014. Houthis launched a lightning offensive in September, seizing strategic territory along the Red Sea coast.
