The Houthi-Saudi conflict is a conflict between the Houthi movement in Yemen and the armed forces of Saudi Arabia. It stems from long-standing animosity between Zaydi Yemenis and Saudi Arabia, a concern in Saudi Arabia over the Houthi movement’s relationship with its regional rival Iran, and previous spillover of Yemeni conflict into Saudi Arabia.
The conflict began when Saudi Arabia led an intervention in the Yemeni Civil War in 2015. Saudi Arabia hoped for a quick, decisive campaign, but Houthi rebels retained important positions, including Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and the port of Hodeidah. Fighting largely halted in 2022 as Saudi Arabia sought to leave the war and began direct negotiations with the Houthi movement. Local events, including Saudi involvement in Yemen in December 2025, and regional factors, such as the 2026 Iran war, have led to a return of fighting.