Yemen’s Houthis are bringing their war to Saudi Arabia – and reframing the narrative of being an Iranian proxy

Yemen's Houthi group has expanded its conflict from Yemen to Saudi Arabia, challenging the narrative that they are merely an Iranian proxy. The group, which has been at war with the Saudi-backed government in Yemen since 2004, now controls a third of the country's territory and two-thirds of its population. Despite lacking access to warplanes, the Houthis have amassed a formidable arsenal of long-range missiles and drones.

The most recent and intense attack occurred on October 10, 2026, when the group targeted Riyadh's international airport. 13 people were killed and hundreds more injured in the strike, which was the most violent episode on Saudi soil since the start of the war in February 2026. This was followed by further missile attacks in the days that followed.

This escalation comes at a time when the Saudi Arabian kingdom is hosting an important conference for oil producers. The attacks highlight the ongoing stalemate in the Middle East and the far-reaching impacts of Yemen's decade-long war beyond its borders.

Historically, the Houthi movement has been seen as Iran's proxy due to their broad alignment with Tehran and shared regional objections. However, the group's leaders have recently sought to reframe their military actions against Saudi Arabia as acts of national defense, rather than as actions directed by Iran. This shift in narrative is significant because it shows how Houthi leaders understand the political implications of different narratives and how they seek to legitimize their actions.