Turki al-Malki

Force in Play

Reported 100 fighter jets supporting Yemeni forces on October 5

Yemen's Saudi-backed government says its forces have retaken ground near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and around Taiz since the 'Dawn of Yemen' campaign began on October 4. The Houthis have answered with missiles and drones aimed at Saudi airports and oil sites, including a strike on Riyadh's main airport on October 10 that killed at least 13 people.

Updated Oct 19

Force in Play

As of September 2026: Announced interception of six ballistic missiles on Sept. 24

France will send troops, radar systems, and air-defense equipment to protect Yanbu, Saudi Arabia's main Red Sea oil export terminal, President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday. Saudi Arabia is also lining up support from Pakistan and Turkey under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, and the UN Security Council on Friday affirmed Riyadh's right to self-defense.

Updated Sep 26

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Announced December 30 strikes on Mukalla port

Saudi Arabia bombed a port on December 30 to destroy weapons the UAE had shipped to the Southern Transitional Council, which had just seized 80% of Yemen's oil reserves. A vessel named Greenland had disabled its tracking system after leaving Fujairah on December 22 and unloaded combat vehicles and weapons at Mukalla on December 28 for the STC.

Updated May 18