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🧵 The story so far Updated Sat 24 Oct

The war in Yemen

In one minute: Yemen is a country next to Saudi Arabia. For years, two sides have fought over who should run it. In 2022 they agreed to stop, and mostly did. This month the fighting started again, and missiles from Yemen have hit Saudi Arabia, including the main airport in its capital, Riyadh.

📍 Yemen and Saudi Arabia · Yemen, Saudi Arabia
📅 What happened
  • 23 OctThe Houthis said they hit more places in Saudi Arabia, including airports. A big oil company moved people out of its main office. Read it
  • 21 OctA drone attack near a Saudi oilfield killed two people, and the US told some diplomats to leave. Read it
  • 19 OctThe Houthis said they hit more places in Saudi Arabia, but Saudi leaders had not said if that was true. Read it
Show earlier days (12)
  • 19 OctSaudi Arabia put off a big meeting of business leaders until 2027. The price of oil went above $109 a barrel. Read it
  • 16 OctThe US president said Saudi Arabia should accept help from Israel. The United States has not joined the fight. Read it
  • 15 OctMissiles hit a palace in Aden, a city in Yemen. Riyadh's airport in Saudi Arabia stays shut. Read it
  • 14 OctSaudi Arabia said it stopped another missile aimed at Riyadh. Read it
  • 14 OctMissiles hit a Saudi oil company site again. Riyadh's airport stays shut, and sports games moved. Read it
  • 13 OctA missile hit an office of Saudi Arabia's big oil company. Nobody was hurt. Read it
  • 11 OctThe airport closed, and schools in Riyadh moved online for a week. Read it
  • 10 OctA bigger missile attack hit the same airport. Many people were killed or hurt. Read it
  • 8 OctMissiles hit the airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital. Read it
  • 4 OctYemen's government, helped by Saudi Arabia, started fighting again to win back land.
  • 2022With the UN's help, both sides agreed to stop fighting. It mostly worked.
  • 2014A group called the Houthis took over the north of Yemen, including the capital.
👥 Who's who
The HouthisA group that runs the north of Yemen.
Yemen's governmentWants to take back the land the Houthis hold.
Saudi ArabiaYemen's big neighbour. It helps the government.
The UNHelps the two sides try to agree.
❓ Why are they fighting?

Both sides want to run Yemen. The Houthis took over the north, including the capital, in 2014. The government, helped by Saudi Arabia, wants it back.

❓ Has the fighting ever stopped before?

Yes. In 2022 both sides agreed to stop, with help from the UN, and the fighting mostly stopped for years. That is why people hope talks can work again.

❓ Why does it matter to India?

Ships carrying things between India and Europe sail past Yemen, and India buys a lot of oil from countries nearby. That is why India is watching closely.

💛 If this news worries you

It's okay to feel worried when you read about war. People at the UN are working to help the two sides talk again. If you have family or friends in the Gulf, ask a grown-up how they are. Talking about it helps.

For grown-ups: sources

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