Conflict briefing
No UCDP fatality total is stored for this theater. UCDP publishes a finished month, so this page is not a live feed.
No UCDP event total is stored for this theater.
Research dataset · UCDP
No casualty series is stored for this theater.
No verified media for this area yet.
Draft – under review
Ansar Allah (Houthis)
Also called Houthis, Ansar Allah.
Non-state armed group
Who they are
Ansar Allah, usually called the Houthis, is the armed movement that holds northern Yemen, including the capital.
Goals
Their claim: The Houthis say they are the government of Yemen and that their attacks on shipping support the Palestinians.
Independent assessment: They hold Sana’a and the north. The UN panel says they receive weapons and training from Iran and its partners. Source: UN Panel of Experts on Yemen, S/2024/731, 11 October 2024.
Capabilities
- Ballistic and cruise missiles. Shown at a Sana’a parade in September 2023 and used against ships
- Attack drones. One-way attack drones, including designs tied to Iran Weapons card
- Anti-ship missiles and sea drones. Used against merchant ships in the Red Sea
Estimated personnel
Reported estimates ran from 220,000 fighters in 2022 to 350,000 when the Panel wrote, against about 30,000 in 2015. The Panel said it could not check the higher number. UN Panel of Experts on Yemen, Oct 11 2024
Backers
Independent assessment: The UN panel says Iran, Iraqi armed groups, and Hezbollah have provided weapons, training, and technical help.
Last reviewed
Draft – under review. Updated 2026-10-12.
Sources
Draft – under review
Forces of the Presidential Leadership Council
Also called Yemeni government forces, PLC.
State military
Who they are
These are the forces of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, the government that holds Aden and is fighting the Houthis.
Goals
Their claim: The council says it is the internationally recognized government and that it is fighting the Houthis.
Independent assessment: These are the government-aligned forces based in Aden and elsewhere. No official public headcount was confirmed for this card.
Capabilities
- Older government stockpiles. Mostly Russian and Soviet-era weapons
- Infantry brigades. Split among several commanders
- Limited air power. Much of the old air force is gone
Estimated personnel
No reliable public estimate
Backers
Independent assessment: Saudi Arabia has led the coalition that backs this side.
Last reviewed
Draft – under review. Updated 2026-10-12.
Sources
Advisories are country-wide; local conditions vary.
Countries this cell touches: Yemen.
US State Department · Yemen · 4
The United States advises not traveling to this country.