While in Doha, Qatar, for #GSF2026 @GSECForum, I joined @AJEnglish’s @afinighan earlier today to discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis in Taiz and the latest military and security developments across Yemen.

War in #Yemen #SITREP | #Taiz | October 22, 2026 18 days since the siege of Taiz city began, resistance against the Houthis continues across multiple fronts. New footage released by @axistaiz shows strikes against Houthi positions, armored vehicles, and reinforcements as government forces and local resistance fighters continue to defend the city. Furthermore, government forces and the Popular Resistance recaptured the strategic Jabal al-Manara mountain, overlooking the center of al-Misrakh district and al-Matali, following a surprise, multi-axis offensive. On the western front, government forces reportedly repelled a six-hour Houthi assault around the Old Airport, Madrat, Jabal Han, and al-Dhabab, supported by coalition airstrikes and military drones. The military reported dozens of Houthi casualties and the downing of a Houthi drone. Coalition aircraft also conducted strikes against Houthi reinforcements, military vehicles, missile launchers, and positions in Wadi Hanash, Madrat, Dhi al-Barh, al-Shamayatayn, al-Aqrud, al-Rubayi, al-Jund, and the vicinity of Jabal Han. The military reported destroying a Houthi tank in Madrat and striking additional positions near Taiz Airport east of the city. Fighting continued along the southern approaches, particularly in al-Shaqab, al-Aqrud, and al-Misrakh, while intermittent clashes were reported on other fronts surrounding the city. Meanwhile, Taiz First Deputy Governor Abdulqawi al-Mikhlafi visited government troops and resistance fighters in Sabir al-Mawadim, accompanied by military officials, tribal leaders, and religious figures. The delegation delivered food supplies and inspected a local hospital treating wounded personnel.

Yemen’s Defense Ministry @YemenMOD Apologizes and Retracts Warning Against Houthi Tribal Mobilization Gatherings Yemen’s Ministry of Defense has issued a formal apology and retracted its October 22 statement warning against tribal mobilization gatherings, following criticism over the potential targeting of tribal assemblies. In a new statement, the defense minister @generalalaqili described the earlier warning as “wrong and unacceptable,” apologized on behalf of himself and ministry personnel to Yemen’s tribes, and ordered an immediate investigation into how the statement was issued. The minister emphasized that Yemen’s tribes remain central to the national effort to restore state authority and accused the Houthis of exploiting the mistake to create divisions between tribal communities and the armed forces. Most importantly, the ministry explicitly stated that Yemen’s armed forces will not target any gatherings, whether tribal mobilizations or other civilian assemblies, and reaffirmed their commitment to international humanitarian law and customary rules governing military operations. facebook.com/share/p/14u2NmW…

AQAP and Houthis Target Government Forces in Shabwah Within 72 Hours 48 hours after the Houthis bombed an internal security recruitment center in al-Alam, Shabwah Governorate, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), operating under its Ansar al-Sharia name, issued a statement threatening military action against government-aligned forces in the governorate. Addressing tribal leaders and elders in Shabwah, AQAP accused forces claiming to fight the Houthis of deliberately cutting its supply routes, maneuvering around its military positions, and attempting to encircle its fighters. The group described these movements as a declaration of war and accused government forces of weakening what it called the front resisting the Houthis. It urged local tribes to withdraw their sons from these forces and warned that any further movements near AQAP positions or restrictions on its operations would provoke a decisive military response. Approximately 24 hours after the statement, suspected AQAP militants reportedly attacked Shabwah Defense Forces in Khorah, Lower Markha District, Shabwah Governorate, killing two soldiers and wounding approximately six others. The attack occurred roughly 20 miles southeast of the Houthi-controlled As Sawma'ah District in neighboring al-Bayda Governorate, an area that historically served as an AQAP stronghold.

War in #Yemen #SITREP | October 22, 2026 | Yemen’s Armed Forces and allied formations have released new footage documenting continued military operations against Houthi forces across Al-Jawf, Ma’rib, and Taiz as part of Operation Dawn of Yemen #ODY. In Al-Jawf, the Sixth Military Region Command (MRC) reported drone strikes targeting Houthi barracks and combat vehicles. In Ma’rib, the Third MRC released additional footage showing artillery strikes against Houthi troop concentrations, barracks, and artillery emplacements along the southern front, alongside drone strikes targeting Houthi personnel and military equipment. In Taiz, the Yemeni Armed Forces @Yem_army_media and @axistaiz published footage of strikes targeting Houthi field commanders, reinforcements, and combat vehicles across multiple fronts. Separate footage documented ongoing clashes between government forces, supported by the Popular Resistance, and Houthi fighters along the western front. Separately, National Shield Forces @diralwatan reported that a drone operated by their First Division struck a Houthi vehicle in Wadi Mamer along the Al-Muhawalah front, completely destroying the vehicle and reportedly killing several Houthi fighters. Meanwhile, @aselsaqladi, spokesman for the Southern @SouthArmed Giants Brigades @alamalikah, praised his forces for their battlefield performance, describing their morale as high and their determination as unwavering despite continued fighting. He argued that Yemenis no longer need encouragement to fight the Houthis, citing years of alleged abuses and civilian suffering. Saqladi referred specifically to footage of a mother carrying the body of her daughter, reportedly killed in a Houthi attack, up a mountain in Taiz for burial. He described the incident as one of thousands of abuses that have gone undocumented.

Mr. @ErikSperling and his labels 😂 Why can’t I simply be a Houthi analyst? Why the need for “anti”? Anyhow, YOU are absolutely right. I will never support a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. I respect and abide by the laws and Constitution of the United States. 🇺🇸

It is no wonder the Houthis have been systematically targeting journalists in Taiz city. Here, @taha_saleh_taiz documents the aftermath of a reported Houthi projectile strike on an ambulance traveling from Shaghaf to Taiz city. The attack killed a wounded teenage girl who was being transported for medical treatment and the ambulance driver, while injuring the doctor who was caring for her.

Former member of the Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Committee Mohammed al-Makaleh @Malmakaleh1 posted a video showing tribal representatives gathered in support of the Houthis, encouraging continued mobilization and sacrifices for the war effort, before appearing to panic upon hearing coalition fighter jets overhead. The footage comes after Yemen’s National Army warned that Houthi tribal mobilization gatherings could be considered legitimate military targets, following a string of Houthi attacks on gatherings supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

Coincidence or orchestrated? AQAP expert @MohamedBinFisal reports clashes between Al-Qaeda militants and Yemeni government forces in the Khawrah area of Shabwah governorate, with reports of fatalities. The fighting comes as Houthi forces intensify their military offensive against the governorate.

Yemen’s military will now begin launching airstrikes against Houthi tribal and general mobilization gatherings.

Students in the newly occupied Al-Silu District of Taiz are pressured by the Houthis to chant “Death to America.” One student covers his face, seemingly ashamed, while others stare at the camera in disbelief. Footage reportedly from Al-Anwar School, Taiz, Yemen.

An American Houthi supporter was arguing with me, insisting, “The Houthis are not terrorists. They don’t blow up airplanes.” I replied, “You’re right. They just blow up the airports with pilgrims.” Apparently, that’s an important distinction in the world of Houthi apologists. 🤦🏽