# [7D] Egypt Launches Initial Air Campaign on Houthi Targets Near Hudaydah and Taiz Within One Week

*Issued Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 9:10 PM UTC — Hamer Intelligence Services Desk*

**Issued**: 2026-09-16T21:10:43.919Z (3h ago)
**Expires**: 2026-09-23T21:10:43.919Z (7d from now)
**Category**: MILITARY | **Confidence**: 65% | **Impact**: CRITICAL
**Risk Direction**: escalatory
**Affected Regions**: Egypt, Yemen, Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, Saudi Arabia
**Affected Assets**: Brent Crude, Dubai/Oman crude, Marine insurance for Suez/Red Sea, Container shipping lines (Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM), Egypt tourism sector
**Permalink**: https://hamerintel.com/data/forecasts/25210.md
**Source**: https://hamerintel.com/forecasts

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## Prediction

Within seven days, Egypt is likely to initiate an air campaign—possibly with limited naval strikes—against Houthi assets threatening Red Sea shipping, focusing on areas near Hudaydah and Taiz. This will mark Egypt’s overt entry into the Yemen conflict, aiming to deter attacks that could imperil Suez and Red Sea trade but risking direct retaliation on Egyptian or Saudi-linked shipping. The move could prompt Iran and the Houthis to expand their own targeting envelope toward Suez-linked traffic or Egyptian infrastructure, raising regional escalation risk. Confirmation would be Egyptian-flagged sorties or missiles hitting Yemen-based coastal missile, drone, or radar sites; denial would be a continued standoff with only rhetoric and diplomacy.

## Drivers

- Repeated Egyptian statements about likely large-scale attack in Yemen
- Linkage of Houthi threats directly to Suez Canal risk
- Trend of Iran-aligned actors weaponizing maritime chokepoints