Conflict and terrorismSevere
Active front lines around Taiz and Mocha, Saudi led airstrikes in Houthi areas, and Houthi missile fire at Riyadh and Saudi eastern regions.
Country risk assessment ยท Middle East
Yemen political and security risk assessment
Yemen is the highest scoring country on the World Threat Map. Fighting between the Houthis and Saudi backed government forces intensified through October, centred on Taiz, with Houthi missile attacks on Aden airport and on Saudi Arabia. Last updated Nov 2, 2026.
83of 100
Severe
Band 5 of 5
▬ Unchanged on last week
Middle East
Yemen
What is the political and security risk in Yemen right now?
Yemen is the highest scoring country on the World Threat Map. Fighting between the Houthis and Saudi backed government forces intensified through October, centred on Taiz, with Houthi missile attacks on Aden airport and on Saudi Arabia.
The UN migration agency says more than 300,000 people have fled the renewed fighting. Government forces have launched a counteroffensive to retake the Red Sea port of Mocha and areas around the Bab el-Mandeb.
What are the main risks of operating in Yemen?
Political stabilitySevere
The country is split between the Houthis in Sanaa and the internationally recognised government based in Aden.
Infrastructure and supply chainSevere
Aden airport, the main international airport under government control, was attacked four times in October.
Maritime and chokepoint exposureSevere
Fighting along the Red Sea coast near the Bab el-Mandeb puts one of the world's key shipping lanes at risk.
Chokepoint exposure
Bab el-Mandeb StraitThe Red Sea's southern gate, between Yemen and DjiboutiRead the explainer →What has changed recently in Yemen?
The UN migration agency said more than 300,000 people in Yemen had fled renewed fighting.
A Houthi health official said Saudi led airstrikes killed 14 people at a market in al-Hazm, as the Houthis tightened their siege of Taiz.
The Saudi led coalition said it destroyed five missile storage tunnels and four ballistic missile launchers in Houthi territory.
Yemen's government said the Houthis fired two ballistic missiles at Aden airport, the fourth attack on it that month.
What happens next? Outlook for the next 1 to 3 months
We assess it is very likely that Aden airport faces further disruption from attacks before the end of December.
80 to 90%
0%50%100%
We assess it is likely that fighting around Taiz and the Red Sea coast continues at its current intensity through January.
60 to 75%
0%50%100%
Likelihood ranges are editorial judgments, not advice.
What does it mean for shipping, supply chains and operations?
Treat the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb as an active conflict zone. Check war risk terms on every transit.
Supply routes into Taiz are cut and shortages of food, fuel and medicine are severe. Humanitarian and logistics operators should plan for sudden access losses.
Flights into Aden can be cancelled or diverted at short notice.
Key facts
Food exports63% of goods exportsLatest data, 2024
Population41.8 millionLatest data, 2025
How has the Yemen threat score moved?
Frequently asked questions
What is the political and security risk in Yemen for business?
Yemen is the highest scoring country on the World Threat Map. Fighting between the Houthis and Saudi backed government forces intensified through October, centred on Taiz, with Houthi missile attacks on Aden airport and on Saudi Arabia.
What are the main geopolitical risks of operating in Yemen?
The main risk drivers are conflict and terrorism (severe); political stability (severe); infrastructure and supply chain (severe); maritime and chokepoint exposure (severe). Active front lines around Taiz and Mocha, Saudi led airstrikes in Houthi areas, and Houthi missile fire at Riyadh and Saudi eastern regions.
What is the outlook for Yemen?
We assess it is very likely (80 to 90%) that Aden airport faces further disruption from attacks before the end of December.
Which shipping chokepoints matter for Yemen?
Yemen is exposed to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Red Sea's southern gate, between Yemen and Djibouti.
How often is the Yemen risk assessment updated?
The Yemen threat score is updated weekly on the Zed Three World Threat Map, and this assessment is reviewed monthly. It was last updated Nov 2, 2026.
Related country assessments
Published by Zed Three, a private, independent risk intelligence company. Assessment last updated Nov 2, 2026. Threat score updated weekly, last on Nov 2, 2026. General analysis for informational purposes, not security, legal or investment advice.
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