HOUTHIS FIRE AT LEAST 12 MISSILES, TWO DRONES AT SAUDI ARABIA
The Houthis have fired at least 12 missiles and two drones targeting Saudi Arabia since October 24, according to the October 25 ISW Iran Update. ISW assesses the campaign aims to impose economic and political costs on Saudi Arabia and compel concessions on port and resource control.
AT A GLANCE
NEW | UKRAINE | Ukrainian forces reportedly advanced near Oleksandrivka, prompting Russian redeployment of naval infantry and tank division elements, per ISW.
NEW | IRAN | ISW reports Houthis fired at least 12 missiles and two drones at Saudi Arabia since October 24, most intercepted.
NEW | TAIWAN | ISW reports Taiwan's NSB flagged rising PRC cyberattacks and AI-driven influence operations ahead of November local elections.
CARRIED FORWARD, OCT 21 | KOREA | ISW's October 21 update on North Korean submarine-launched cruise missile tests remains the most recent Korea baseline.
WHY THE HOUTHI STRIKE CAMPAIGN AGAINST SAUDI ARABIA MATTERS
ISW reports the Houthis fired at least 12 missiles and two drones at Saudi Arabia since October 24. Saudi forces intercepted 11 missiles over southern Saudi Arabia, including Asir Province, on October 25.
Separately, Saudi forces intercepted two drones and a missile over Riyadh Province on October 24, before ISW-CTP's data cutoff. The Houthis had not claimed these attacks as of the report.
ISW assesses the campaign aims to impose economic and political costs on Saudi Arabia and compel Riyadh to accept Houthi demands. These demands reportedly include lifting controls on Houthi-held ports and airports and granting control over Yemeni oil and gas resources.
ISW also reports Yemeni government-aligned forces continue engaging Houthi forces south of Taiz City to break the encirclement. ISW assesses these forces will gain little unless they also secure the Taiz-Aden ground line of communication.
OTHER SIGNALS
UKRAINE | GAINS NEAR OLEKSANDRIVKA, STRIKES ON RUSSIAN PLANTS
ISW report of October 25 · new
Ukrainian military observer Mashovets reported Ukrainian forces liberated Perebudova, Komar, and Fedorivka and advanced near Vesele, per the October 25 ISW assessment. Mashovets reported the advances forced Russia to redeploy naval infantry and tank division elements from other directions.
ISW also reports Ukrainian long-range strikes hit the Energiya Plant in Yelets, which produces Iskander missile components, and the VSMPO-AVISMA titanium plant in Berezniki. Russian officials in both regions acknowledged the strikes without confirming targets struck.
TAIWAN | NSB REPORTS SURGING PRC ELECTION INTERFERENCE
ISW report of October 23 · new
Taiwan's National Security Bureau reported PRC-origin cyberattacks against its Government Services Network rose to 185.6 million in July, averaging 2.58 million daily, per the October 23 ISW update. The NSB also uncovered 2.5 million suspect social media posts from January to August, a 48 percent rise over 2025.
ISW also reports the PLAN conducted an unusual four-ship Type 071 landing platform dock training formation, assessed as likely intended to intimidate the Philippines. ISW notes this was the first such four-ship Type 071 formation reported since August 2025.
KOREA | SUBMARINE MISSILE TEST BASELINE UNCHANGED
ISW report of October 21 · carried forward
No newer Korea report has been issued since the October 21 ISW update, which remains the current baseline. That update reported North Korea tested two submarine-launched cruise missiles from the Hero Kim Kun Ok submarine, which ISW assessed as likely nuclear-capable.
ISW assessed North Korea may extend SLCM capability to unmodified Romeo-class submarines, which could obscure which vessels carry nuclear weapons. Analysts should watch for South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff statements on countermeasures to this capability.
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