Two Injured as Houthi Projectile Hits Saudi Arabia’s Jazan Region

Projectile Strike Injures Two in Saudi Jazan

Saudi Civil Defense reported that two people were injured when a Houthi-launched projectile struck Al-Tuwal governorate in the Jazan region on September 12, 2026, damaging a mosque, buildings and vehicles. [2] The Civil Defense said its teams responded to the incident, which caused material damage to a mosque, several buildings and vehicles. [2] It stressed that targeting civilian sites is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. [2] The Civil Defense followed the required procedures for such incidents. [2] On Saturday, the Saudi Civil Defence said in a statement that a projectile fired by the Houthis had injured two people in Jazan region, along with damaging several buildings, including a mosque. [4]

Escalating Cross-Border Strikes Over Bab al-Mandeb

Houthi forces and Saudi Arabia have traded strikes over the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint on the Red Sea coast of Yemen. [1] Tensions between the Houthi group and Saudi Arabia continued to escalate, with the Houthis saying on Saturday that Saudi warplanes had launched 129 airstrikes across seven Yemeni provinces over the previous 48 hours. [2] Houthi forces and Saudi Arabia trade strikes as fighting over the critical Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint on the Red Sea coast of Yemen continues. [1] The incident in Jazan came amid these ongoing exchanges, as Saudi Arabia responded to Houthi actions with airstrikes on multiple provinces. [2] The cross-border strikes have focused on the strategic Red Sea area, where both sides have targeted positions linked to the chokepoint. [1]

Saudi Closure of East-West Pipeline After Drone Attack

Saudi Arabia closed its East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack blamed on Iran-backed militias operating from Iraq, which had been carrying 4-5 million barrels per day. [4] The world’s largest crude oil exporter said it temporarily closed the pipeline as a precaution after a drone attack that both Baghdad and Riyadh said had originated in Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias operate. [4] The 1,200-km pipeline running across the Arabian Peninsula has served as the main route out for global supplies of Middle East oil for the past six months while the Strait of Hormuz has been largely shut by war. [4] It has been moving 4 million to 5 million barrels per day, amounting to 4% to 5% of global supply. [4] Satellite images showed black smoke rising from an area of the pipeline south of Medina. [4] The attack resulted in some injuries and damage that was being assessed, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said without detailing the impact on exports. [4] Iraq said attacks on a key Saudi oil pipeline were launched from its territory. [3] Iraq dismissed a military commander on Saturday in response to the attack. [4]

Trump Comments on Houthi Outreach and Saudi Request for Aid

US President Donald Trump stated that the Houthis contacted Washington asking it not to intervene in the conflict against Yemen’s internationally recognised government. [1] Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked Trump for US military help against the Houthis; Trump said the US would provide intelligence but not intervene directly for now. [4] US President Donald Trump says the Houthis have called Washington, asking it not to intervene in the conflict against Yemen’s internationally recognised government. [1] Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, phoned Trump on Thursday and asked for US military help fighting the Houthis. [4] They said the prince was told that Washington would not intervene directly for now but would help with intelligence. [4] Trump confirmed on Saturday that he had spoken to the crown prince, and said the Houthis had also phoned his administration and asked Washington not to become directly involved in the conflict. [4] Trump appeared to blame Iran for the pipeline attack. [3]

Houthi Advance and Capture of Perim Island

Houthis seized the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. [4] Four Yemeni government sources told Reuters that the Houthis had seized the strategic island of Perim on Friday in the middle of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. [4] The advance by Iran-backed Houthi rebels threatens a key route. [3] Houthi Advance Puts Bab el-Mandeb Shipping at Risk as the rebels tighten their grip on the Red Sea area. [1] The seizure adds to concerns over shipping through the strait, known as the "Gate of Tears" at the mouth of the Red Sea. [4]

What to watch next: Further exchanges of strikes between Houthi forces and Saudi Arabia over the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint, along with any additional moves by the Houthis in the Red Sea area following their seizure of Perim island.