🟡 Hourly Updates (+ve): October 18, 2026

🇾🇪 Yemen

— AnsarAllah forces reportedly advanced into western Taiz city, capturing or entering the strategic areas of Mudarat and Murabah and approaching the Old Airport neighbourhood and Taiz University amid very heavy clashes. Further reports said AnsarAllah broke through PLC defences from the Hanjar Gate and advanced toward the Al-Matar Al-Qadim and Al-Jabali areas, with violent street fighting continuing. AnsarAllah was also reported to have captured Jabal Al-Madraj and Madreei northwest of the city, while fighting continued around the 35th Armored Brigade headquarters and Old Airport. Reports variously stated that AnsarAllah had taken control of strategic Han Mountain overlooking western Taiz, although another assessment said the situation there remained fluid and that some positions could still be held by opposing forces. AnsarAllah was also reported to have captured Al-Najd in the Sabir Mountains south of Taiz, as well as the villages of Ar Rujmah and Madarat north of Han Mountain.

— The Yemeni Armed Forces announced that they had shot down a Saudi Apache helicopter off the coast of Najran while it was reportedly conducting operations against Yemeni positions along the border.

— The Yemeni Armed Forces reportedly shot down a Saudi-operated Turkish-made Karayel armed reconnaissance drone over Hajjah Province, with the Yemeni military spokesperson saying it was the fourth drone of this type to be downed since the beginning of the recent escalation.

🇮🇶 Iraq / Iran

— Iranian Shahed-136 drones reportedly targeted positions belonging to the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan in Iraqi Kurdistan, including its headquarters in the Wadi al-Nah area of Khlefkan District.

🇫🇷 France

— Al Mayadeen reported that more than 800,000 people participated in demonstrations across France, according to its correspondent in Paris. An earlier figure attributed to the French Interior Minister put participation at 550,000 nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris, with 400 arrests reported.

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

— Dammam Airport reportedly halted operations. Air-raid sirens were reported in Abha, while two explosions were reportedly heard in Riyadh following reported AnsarAllah missile attacks. Saudi Arabia claimed that two ballistic missiles launched toward Khamis Mushait had been intercepted. Explosions were also reported in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

— Reports said AnsarAllah launched missile and drone attacks targeting Riyadh and areas of southern and eastern Saudi Arabia, including reported attacks on oil facilities in Al-Ahsa.

— Satellites reportedly detected an unusual fire at a gas plant and the Ju’aymah terminal in the Ras Tanura area of eastern Saudi Arabia, coinciding with the reported suspension of Dammam Airport operations.

🔹@enemywatch