This week, the UN said at least 125,000 people have been newly displaced by ongoing conflict in Yemen.
The Civilian Impact Monitoring Project has reported a death toll of at least 117 civilians, including 19 children, from 1 August to 10 September.
Houthi militants began seizing towns near a key oil passageway in the Red Sea last week, sparking concerns about commercial shipping access and driving up oil prices.
Here’s what’s going on.
Background
The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, are a group of Iran-backed rebel fighters who have been in a civil war in Yemen since 2014.
In that time, the UN estimates hundreds of thousands of people have died due to conflict and famine.
Australia designated the Houthis as a terrorist organisation in 2024.
Since 2014, conflict in Yemen has involved a number of parties.
Let’s unpack.
Parties
The conflict in Yemen involves: the Houthis, and by extension Iran.
The Saudi Arabian Government and military, which entered Yemen in 2015 to support the then-Government’s response to Houthi attacks.
The Houthis signed a ceasefire with Saudi Arabia in 2022.
Saudi Arabia remains involved in Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Another group backed by the United Arab Emirates, which was part of the official government until it took control of two provinces in the country’s south last year.
These provinces are rich in oil.
Israel and the U.S.
Israel and the Houthis have exchanged strikes for years.
The Houthis aligned themselves with Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza, after Israel began striking Gaza following Hamas’ October 7 attack.
Like the Houthis, Hamas is backed by Iran.
The U.S. involvement takes a bit more explaining.
In late 2023, the Houthis launched more than 100 attacks on container ships in the Red Sea, including hijacking the Israeli-linked ship Galaxy Leader.
The Houthis took the largely Filipino crew members hostage for more than 400 days.
Following these attacks, in January 2024 the U.S. and UK launched strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen, supported by Canada, Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
From March to May 2025, the U.S. expanded military attacks on Houthi targets, which it said was in response to the Houthis “disrupting legal commerce”.
The Yemen Data Project estimates the U.S. strikes killed at least 238 civilians.
The Houthis have increased their activity since the U.S. and Israel struck Iran in February, leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
That closure directed more traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea off Yemen’s southern coast.
Escalation
From here, the developments are best explained as a timeline.
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July
The Houthis say they will blockade Saudi ships in the Red Sea.
They launch missiles at Saudi Arabia and its vessels.
11 August
The Houthis attack a cargo ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, killing four crew members.
The Yemeni Government says it was carrying food; the Houthis say it was carrying “Saudi military equipment”.
13 August
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen tells the Security Council the country “faces a more serious risk of return to large-scale conflict than at any point since the 2022 UN-mediated truce” between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
9 September
A spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, Major General Turki Al-Malki, says Houthi forces are attacking Saudi assets and infrastructure.
Al-Malki said the coalition will “respond to these attacks responsibly”.
10 September
The Houthis seize Mokha, a town near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
They also take over islands in the passageway.
14 September
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said Saudi forces have launched “more than 300 airstrikes” in the last five days.
15 September
Al-Malki says Saudi forces intercepted Houthi drones above Mecca, the holiest city in Islam.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the “heinous” attacks.
Saree calls the claims “fabrications and lies”.
The Civilian Impact Monitoring Project announces it estimates the violence has killed at least 117 civilians from 1 August to 10 September.
The UN announces the recent tensions have caused the displacement of at least 125,000 Yemeni civilians, with an estimated 2,300 people crossing the Strait to Djibouti on the eastern coast of Africa.
Trade impacts
The Houthis’ seizure of Mokha and islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has been viewed as a threat to global shipping movement.
The Strait usually sees around 25% of global container trade.
Due to instability in the Strait of Hormuz, the passageway has been used as an alternative route.
This week, oil prices jumped to $US109 ($AU153) per barrel, after sitting around $80-90 in August – the highest they have been since May.
Intl responses
Talks between Iran and other nations in the region about the Strait of Hormuz, set to be held this week in Oman, have been postponed.
The White House told CNN it is “focused on protecting” interests including “freedom of navigation in the Red Sea,” adding it is in “continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen Government regarding regional stability.”
Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen has not addressed the conflict, but is set to travel to Saudi Arabia next week to discuss fuel security.
