While in Doha, Qatar, for #GSF2026 @GSECForum, I joined @AJEnglish’s @afinighan earlier today to discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis in Taiz and the latest military and security developments across Yemen.

Yemen’s military will now begin launching airstrikes against Houthi tribal and general mobilization gatherings.

Students in the newly occupied Al-Silu District of Taiz are pressured by the Houthis to chant “Death to America.” One student covers his face, seemingly ashamed, while others stare at the camera in disbelief. Footage reportedly from Al-Anwar School, Taiz, Yemen.

An American Houthi supporter was arguing with me, insisting, “The Houthis are not terrorists. They don’t blow up airplanes.” I replied, “You’re right. They just blow up the airports with pilgrims.” Apparently, that’s an important distinction in the world of Houthi apologists. 🤦🏽

An eerie feeling flying back to Washington, DC, from Qatar, passing east of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, around 2 a.m., just as I received a notification that the Houthis had attacked Dammam Airport. From the air, I could see no major fires. Hoping for the best. 🙏

🇳🇱 Mijn commentaar over de situatie in Jemen, gepubliceerd in @volkskrant in een artikel van @jjholtland en @LauraTreffers. ‘In 2015 beschikten de Houthi’s niet over de mankracht en de wapens die nodig waren om een offensief vol te houden dat gericht was op het in handen krijgen van het hele land’, zegt de onafhankelijke Jemen-analist Mohammed al-Basha aan de telefoon. ‘Tegenwoordig beschikken ze over een veel groter arsenaal, met ballistische raketten, drones en geavanceerdere militaire Russische en Chinese technologie.’ Volgens al-Basha is de frontlinie rondom de stad grotendeels gestabiliseerd na de grote terreinwinst van de Houthi’s in september, maar de strijd laat zich lastig voorspellen. Nu vluchten zo goed als onmogelijk is, hebben inwoners volgens al-Basha nog maar één optie als de Houthi’s de binnenstad binnenvallen: hun huizen verdedigen met de middelen die nog over zijn. Aan de strijdlust van de inwoners van Taiz zal het volgens analist al-Basha niet liggen. Als de stad in handen van de Houthi’s valt, verwacht hij dat lokale gewapende groeperingen blijven doorvechten. ‘Maar hoe langer de belegering duurt, hoe groter het risico op militaire uitputting en een grote humanitaire ramp. De omstandigheden zullen per dag verslechteren.’ volkskrant.nl/kijkverder/v/2…

Another day, another Houthi child soldier. This boy is from Saada, the Houthis’ home province. He describes his recruitment, indoctrination, deployment, and eventual capture after being wounded in Bab al-Mandab. For over two decades, the Houthis have indoctrinated children through schools and summer camps. I hope he sees his mother soon.

A scathing editorial published by Okaz Daily, @OKAZ_online one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest, most widely recognized, and influential newspapers, delivers a sharp warning to Yemen’s political and military leadership. Titled “Liberating Yemen Is the Responsibility of Yemenis,” the editorial argues that no amount of Saudi-led coalition military support, political backing, or battlefield success can substitute for Yemeni unity and a genuine commitment to liberating the country from the Houthis. “No matter how determined coalition countries are to reclaim Yemen, and regardless of the political and military efforts made, none of this will matter unless Yemenis stand united against the militias.” The editorial takes particular aim at Yemenis living comfortably in exile, warning that salaries, financial assistance, education, healthcare, and relative stability abroad can gradually weaken their sense of responsibility toward their country. “This sense of relative stability may cause those who have a cause to forget it, or numb them for a time.” It goes further, warning that even coalition military victories could be wasted without Yemenis willing and able to consolidate and defend those gains. “Even if the coalition achieves victories, there will be no one to consolidate or preserve them.” The editorial also criticizes those who have become spectators, commentators, or opportunists while leaving their country’s future in the hands of others. “History is full of peoples who entrusted their just causes to others and contented themselves with being spectators, analysts, or brokers.” Its central warning is unmistakable. “Unless all Yemeni factions recognize that liberating Yemen is everyone’s responsibility, these tremendous efforts risk going to waste.” What does this mean? In Saudi Arabia, political messages and warnings are not always communicated through official government statements. Influential newspapers and editorials have at times served as channels for indirect political signaling, allowing criticism, expectations, and warnings to reach their intended audiences without being formally attributed to the Saudi leadership. Viewed through that lens, the Okaz editorial deserves attention. Its message appears particularly relevant to self-exiled members of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, including senior political and military officials who retain their titles, command positions, and influence while living safely abroad. Meanwhile, the soldiers they nominally command, government loyalists, and local resistance fighters remain on the front lines, fighting and dying. The implied warning is that Saudi Arabia cannot be expected to carry the military, political, and financial burden of Yemen’s liberation indefinitely while some of the Yemeni leaders responsible for that effort remain removed from the battlefield and its consequences. There is no confirmation that the editorial represents an officially coordinated message from Riyadh. Nevertheless, its timing, unusually direct language, and criticism of political complacency make it a potentially important indication of Saudi frustration with Yemen’s leadership. This is also something many Yemen watchers have been writing and speaking about for years. Chronic political and ideological divisions, competing military commands, and personal rivalries within the anti-Houthi camp have repeatedly undermined efforts to confront the Houthis. These divisions have empowered the Houthis and weakened the internationally recognized government. Saudi Arabia can provide military support, resources, and political backing, but ultimately, Yemenis must establish the unity and leadership necessary to reclaim and govern their country. okaz.com.sa/ampArticle/22717…

A grieving mother carries the lifeless body of her daughter, killed in a Houthi attack.