UN voices concern over Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as Yemen displacement rises

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations is concerned about growing Houthi attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday, according to the Indonesian news agency Antara.

Antara reported that Dujarric spoke at a press conference on 19 October. All details in this report come from Antara's account of his remarks.

According to Antara, Dujarric said the UN was also worried by the continuing Houthi attacks across Saudi territory, including strikes that affected civilian and energy infrastructure. Antara did not report specific locations, damage or casualties from the attacks.

"We are also concerned about the continued Houthi attacks across Saudi Arabia, including attacks affecting civilian and energy infrastructure." — Stephane Dujarric, UN spokesman, as translated from Antara's Indonesian report

Fighting near Taiz

Dujarric also said the UN was deeply concerned by the intensity of fighting on several front lines in Yemen, particularly near the city of Taiz, Antara reported.

He urged all parties to engage constructively with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, Antara said. The aim, according to the report, is to find a path towards inclusive dialogue and a political settlement reached through negotiation.

Displacement figures

Antara reported that Dujarric gave figures on displacement since fighting resumed in early August. He said more than 250,000 people in Yemen had been displaced in that period. That total included more than 82,000 people in October, most of whom fled Taiz Province, according to Antara's account of his remarks.

The report did not say which UN body compiled the figures. Antara did not give a separate source for them.

Background

Antara said tensions in Yemen rose in mid-July. It reported that pro-government forces backed by Saudi Arabia attacked Sanaa airport while a plane from Iran, carrying a delegation of Houthi leaders, was landing.

According to Antara, the Houthis blamed Riyadh for the attack. The group then declared war on the kingdom and announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia.

Since then, Antara reported, the Houthis have taken control of the entire western Red Sea coast and of towns near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The internationally recognised Yemeni government has launched an operation to retake the capital, Sanaa, from the Houthis, the agency said.

The agency's report was accompanied by related links. One concerned Pakistan and Egypt condemning Houthi attacks and proposing a four-party meeting. Another concerned Saudi Arabia backing a UN Security Council call to stop the Houthis obtaining weapons. Antara's report did not give details of either item.

The agency also published an illustrative photograph from 4 April 2026. It showed demonstrators carrying Yemeni and Saudi flags at a large rally in the western coastal city of Mocha, held in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and Gulf states, according to the caption.

Zenga News has not independently verified the events or the figures described. Antara's report did not include a response from the Houthis or the Saudi government to Dujarric's remarks.