Yemen front and the region
Houthis claim strike on Saudi defence ministry as coalition downs 4 drones
The Houthis claimed attacks on the defence ministry in Riyadh, Aramco in Yanbu and Dammam airport, while the coalition said it intercepted 4 drones over Riyadh and Medina. On the humanitarian side, the WHO reported 1574 deaths since August and the IOM more than 258,000 displaced.
Summary
- DisputedHouthis claim hits on the Saudi defence ministry and Aramco Yanbu; no Saudi confirmation of strikes in Riyadh or Yanbu.
- AttributedCoalition: 4 drones intercepted and destroyed over the Riyadh and Medina regions.
- ConfirmedWHO: 1574 killed and 6939 injured in the escalation as of 19 October.
- ConfirmedIOM: 258,751 people displaced since August, roughly half of them to Taiz.
- ConfirmedQatar condemns the Dammam airport attack, calling Saudi security part of its own.
- UnverifiedField source: Giants and Nation Shield forces retake the al-Ardi camp near Bab al-Mandab.
killed in Yemen's escalation as of 19 October, per the WHO
11:42Zdisplaced between early August and 20 October, per the IOM
24 12:05Zdrones the coalition says it intercepted over Riyadh and Medina
11:20ZDevelopments in this window
- ConfirmedDammam
Qatar condemns Houthi attack on Dammam airport
Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the Houthi attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, which killed two people. It called the attack a serious violation of Saudi sovereignty and said the kingdom's security is part of Qatar's and of the Gulf security framework. Several headlines reported a similar UAE condemnation whose text we did not read.
Source: The Peninsula Qatar Gulf Today - UnverifiedSaudi Arabia
Reports: UK sends air defences and Typhoon jets to Saudi Arabia
Belqees, citing Al Arabiya, reported that the British defence ministry announced air defence systems, refuelling aircraft and RAF Typhoon jets for defensive missions in Saudi Arabia. We did not read the ministry's statement, and the timing of the original announcement is unclear.
Source: belqees.net - DisputedRiyadh / Yanbu / Dammam
Houthis claim strike on Saudi defence ministry; coalition says it downed 4 drones
The Houthis said on Thursday they attacked the Saudi defence ministry in Riyadh, Aramco facilities in Yanbu and King Fahd airport in Dammam. Earlier, coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki announced that 4 drones had been intercepted and destroyed over the Riyadh and Medina regions. Reuters reported no Saudi confirmation of hits in Riyadh or Yanbu. Saudi civil aviation said traffic at Dammam airport had returned to normal.
- ConfirmedTaiz / Lahj / Aden
IOM: more than 258,000 displaced since August
The International Organization for Migration said 258,751 people were displaced between early August and 20 October, including 8682 on Tuesday alone. Taiz received about 48% of them, followed by Lahj and Aden. Shelter, food and cash support top the needs of the displaced.
Source: tihama24.com - ConfirmedRed Sea
US embassy discusses anti-smuggling with Yemen's coast guard
US chargé d'affaires to Yemen Neil Hoppe met coast guard commander Maj. Gen. Khaled al-Qamli. The embassy said they discussed maritime security priorities and closer cooperation to help the government intercept Houthi smuggling.
Source: belqees.net - ConfirmedYemen
WHO: 1574 killed and 6939 injured in the escalation
The World Health Organization said the military escalation in Yemen had killed 1574 people and injured 6939 as of 19 October. The figures point to mounting pressure on the health sector and shortages of medicines and supplies.
Source: elbalad.news MTV Lebanon - UnverifiedBab al-Mandab
Field source: Giants and Nation Shield retake al-Ardi camp
Sama Aden quoted a field source as saying the Southern Giants and Nation Shield forces regained full control of the al-Ardi camp overlooking Bab al-Mandab after fighting with the Houthis. There is no independent official confirmation and no casualty toll.
Source: samaaden.news - AttributedSanaa
Sanaa money changers halt dealings with 28 exchange firms
The Houthi-controlled money changers' association in Sanaa said it was halting dealings with 28 exchange companies and outlets on instructions from the Sanaa central bank. It said the firms had failed to renew their licences.
Source: samaaden.news