HOUTHIS HIT ADEN AND MARIB, SAM DAMAGES SAUDI JET
The Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on Aden and Marib on October 15, striking the Yemeni Presidential Palace and residential areas. ISW assesses the Aden strikes likely aimed to undermine the Yemeni government's legitimacy amid setbacks in Taiz.
AT A GLANCE
NEW | UKRAINE | ISW reports SpaceX imposed Starshield speed restrictions that disrupted Ukrainian jet-drone interception and intermediate-range strikes.
NEW | IRAN | ISW reports Houthi missile and drone attacks on Aden and Marib and a SAM strike on a Saudi jet.
CARRIED FORWARD, OCT 9 | TAIWAN | No new ISW report; PRC interference with Philippine resupply and evacuation missions at Second Thomas Shoal remains the baseline.
CARRIED FORWARD, SEP 30 | KOREA | No new ISW report; the DMZ mine incident and South Korea's undefined corresponding measures remain the baseline.
WHY THE HOUTHI STRIKES ON ADEN AND MARIB MATTER
ISW reports that Houthi forces fired large barrages of missiles and drones at Aden on October 15, striking the Yemeni Presidential Palace and residential areas. ISW assesses this likely sought an informational effect to undermine the fractured Yemeni government.
The Houthis also struck Marib City with at least 16 ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones, according to a Marib-based journalist and a Yemen analyst cited by ISW. ISW assesses this may have aimed to disrupt government forces preparing counteroffensives in Marib Governorate.
ISW separately reports a Houthi surface-to-air missile struck a Saudi-operated Eurofighter Typhoon over Saada Governorate on October 14, though footage suggests the aircraft was not destroyed. ISW assesses this shows limited but real Houthi capability against Saudi airpower.
These developments occur as Houthi forces continue fighting for Jabal Han and al Dhabab on Taiz City's outskirts, according to ISW, with control of Jabal Han reported as contested by multiple sources, indicating no settled outcome yet.
OTHER SIGNALS
UKRAINE | STARSHIELD SPEED LIMITS HIT DRONE OPERATIONS
ISW report of October 14 · new
ISW's October 14 assessment reports that SpaceX imposed a 100 mph speed restriction on Starshield terminals in Ukraine overnight on October 13 to 14, per Ukrainian officials Serhiy Beskrestnov and Sergii Sternenko. Musk said the US military and President Trump control Starshield limits, while Fedorov said SpaceX restored connectivity up to 160 kilometers per hour.
ISW assesses the restrictions significantly degraded Ukraine's jet-powered drone interception and intermediate-range strike campaign against Russian logistics, citing Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces data showing decreased strike intensity on October 14. The Ukrainian 7th Rapid Reaction Corps reported connection disruptions in Hulyaipole before deleting its statement without explanation.