Videos show armored vehicle running over surrendering and armed men in Yemen's coastal fighting
Social media clips depict a Yemeni government-aligned armored vehicle ramming both unarmed surrenderers and armed combatants during a counter-offensive on the Red Sea coast.
Open-source analysts say the armored vehicle in several social-media videos belongs to Yemen's government forces, which are backed by Saudi Arabia. In the clips, the driver steers the vehicle into groups of men, some clearly surrendering with raised arms while others are armed, then runs them over while shouting religious exclamations and a curse. After the initial ramming, the occupants fire from the vehicle at additional men on a beach, causing further casualties.
The videos were released as the Saudi-backed coalition began a counter-offensive to reclaim the Red Sea coastal strip, including the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the port of Mocha, lost to the Iran-aligned Houthis last month. The conflict, now spilling onto the Tihamah Plain, follows the collapse of a UN-mediated ceasefire in July and threatens vital shipping lanes for Saudi oil exports. Verification of the drivers’ identities and the exact status of the victims remains unconfirmed.
Why it matters
The footage highlights the brutal tactics used in Yemen's renewed coastal offensive, raising concerns about civilian harm and regional stability.
How this story developed
- Sep 11 Renewed Yemen fighting forces over 46,000 people from their homes
- Sep 23 Ethiopian Airlines posted a flight suspension following the reported airport seizure.
- Sep 25 Trump publicly voiced support for Saudi self‑reliance against Houthi attacks.
- Sep 25 The UAE has not confirmed an official ban despite the cancellation of Iranian flights to Dubai.
- Sep 25 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on active-duty personnel and eligible relatives to register and request ballots ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
- Sep 27 Government forces launched intensified air and ground attacks in Taiz province.
- Sep 27 France announced a military mission to Saudi Arabia.
- Oct 2 Pakistan announced an emergency Strategic Political Defence Committee meeting in Riyadh next week to address recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and explore political engagement with the group.
- Oct 2 The United States granted an exemption permitting Iraqi Airways to resume pilgrim flights to Iran.
- Oct 2 Saudi Arabia has moved from planning to actively preparing a large‑scale offensive to retake the Bab el‑Mandeb strait.
- Oct 3 TPLF forces are withdrawing from Mekelle as federal troops advance toward the capital.
- Oct 4 Speaker Mike Johnson ended the House’s final day of session, halting the impeachment vote on Defense Secretary Hegseth.
- Oct 5 Federal troops and pro‑government militias entered Mekelle following the TPLF’s announced withdrawal.
- Oct 5 Ishaq Dar announced the upcoming Riyadh meeting of the Strategic Political Defence Committee.
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