Saudi airstrikes hit positions used by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels around the frontlines of Taiz and along the Red Sea, and Houthi forces appeared to slow their advances around the key cities of Taiz, Marib and toward Aden, The New York Times reported on Sept. 15. Meanwhile, Houthi forces launched barrages toward the Saudi cities of Jeddah, Mecca and Taif, resulting in reported interceptions and triggering civil defense alerts in these cities for the first time in this phase of the conflict.