It's Thursday, September 11, and we're covering Israel's most significant airstrike on Yemen in over a year, hitting Houthi propaganda headquarters and military camps in Sanaa and al-Jawf that killed 35 people and wounded 131 others. Polish and NATO forces engaged Russian drones in the largest airspace violation since World War II, shooting down multiple aircraft in the first direct military confrontation between the alliance and Moscow since the Ukraine invasion began.
American right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead during a debate at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, marking a significant escalation in domestic political violence. Pakistani security forces killed 14 militants in operations in Mohmand district near the Afghan border as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts against the Pakistani Taliban. Israeli attacks across Gaza killed at least 72 more Palestinians as the assault to capture Gaza City continues.
Today marks the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, in which 2,977 people lost their lives in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. We pause to remember those who were killed, to honor their families, and to reflect on the lasting imprint of that day. The attacks not only changed the course of countless lives but also reshaped the global security landscape. Their legacy remains visible in the conflicts and security challenges we continue to cover.
Israel conducted the most significant airstrike on Yemen in over a year on September 10, hitting Houthi military installations in Sanaa and al-Jawf governorate in response to continued drone and missile attacks on Israeli territory. More than 10 Israeli Air Force fighter jets flew over 2,350 kilometers to deliver 30 munitions against 15 targets, including Houthi propaganda headquarters, military camps housing operatives, and fuel storage facilities. The operation marked the longest flight carried out by the Israeli Air Force since fighting began with the Iran-backed group.
The Houthi-run health ministry confirmed 35 people killed and 131 wounded in the strikes, describing the casualties as preliminary with rescue teams continuing search operations. Israeli officials stated the operation targeted facilities used to plan and execute attacks against Israel, including operations and intelligence command centers. The strikes hit civilian and residential areas in Sanaa's al-Tahrir neighborhood, a medical facility on 60th Street in the southwest of the city, and a government compound in al-Jawf's capital al-Hazm.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree confirmed the group deployed surface-to-air missiles against the Israeli aircraft, claiming some planes were forced to retreat before discharging their weapons. The Yemen Oil and Gas Corporation reported Israeli jets targeted a medical station providing fuel to hospitals in the capital. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the operation fulfilled Israeli promises of continued strikes, emphasizing that the long arm of Israel would reach terrorism wherever it exists.
The airstrikes followed a Houthi drone attack on Ramon Airport in southern Israel days earlier and represented the 17th time Israel has attacked the Iran-backed group since beginning operations in July 2024. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the operation was retaliation for recent Houthi attacks and vowed continued strikes against anyone who attacks Israel. The escalation occurred one day after Israel's unprecedented airstrike on Qatar's capital Doha that targeted Hamas leadership and killed six people including senior negotiators.
Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip killed at least 72 more Palestinians on September 10 as the assault to capture Gaza City continues. The ongoing military operations represent part of Israel's broader campaign following the October 7, 2023 attacks, with the conflict now entering its 23rd month. The simultaneous operations in Gaza and Yemen demonstrate Israel's multi-front approach to confronting Iranian-backed groups across the region.
Polish and NATO forces engaged Russian drones in the largest airspace violation since World War II on September 10, marking the first time the alliance has directly confronted Russian military assets during the Ukraine conflict. At least 19 Russian drones entered Polish territory during a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, prompting Poland to activate NATO Article 4 for consultations and mobilize F-16 and F-35 fighter jets alongside Dutch and Italian aircraft to intercept the aircraft.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed his forces shot down at least four drones after tracking 19 separate airspace violations, with a significant number crossing from Belarus into eastern Poland. The Polish military operational command described the incursions as an "unprecedented violation" and "act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens." One drone struck a residential building in Wyryki-Kolonia in Lublin Voivodeship, damaging the roof but causing no injuries.
The incident forced closure of airspace over Warsaw International Airport, Warsaw Modlin Airport, Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport, and Lublin Airport while Russian aircraft remained in Polish territory. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called the violations "reckless behavior" and confirmed the alliance responded quickly to defend allied territory. Evidence suggests Russian preparations for cross-border operations began months earlier, with Polish SIM cards discovered in Russian drones shot down in Ukraine during July.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed at least eight Russian drones were aimed toward Poland and called the episode an "extremely dangerous precedent for Europe." The violations occurred during Zapad-2025 Russian-Belarusian military exercises scheduled for September 12-16, raising concerns about deliberate testing of NATO defenses. European leaders across France, Germany, and the UK condemned the incursions as unacceptable escalation, with Poland announcing temporary border closure with Belarus due to security concerns.
American right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead during a debate at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on September 10, marking a significant escalation in domestic political violence that reflects broader patterns of polarization affecting democratic institutions globally. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative media figure, was participating in a campus debate when the shooting occurred, according to reports from multiple news outlets.
The killing represents the most high-profile assassination of a political figure in the United States in recent years and occurs amid rising concerns about political violence targeting public figures across the political spectrum. Kirk's death follows increased security threats against political activists, elected officials, and media figures, reflecting the volatile domestic political environment as the country approaches the 2026 midterm elections.
The incident at Utah Valley University highlights the intersection of campus political activities and broader security concerns, as universities have become focal points for political debates and activism. Kirk's organization, Turning Point USA, has been active on college campuses nationwide, often generating controversy and protests during speaking events and debates.
The assassination occurs during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions globally, with domestic political violence increasingly viewed through the lens of democratic backsliding and institutional stress affecting multiple nations. The targeting of political activists represents a concerning trend that security experts warn could further destabilize democratic discourse and peaceful political participation in the United States.
Pakistani security forces killed 14 militants in intelligence-based operations in Mohmand district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on September 10, as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts targeting the Pakistani Taliban near the Afghan border. The military's Inter-Services Public Relations confirmed the operation in the Guluno area resulted in an intense exchange of fire with militants the government terms "Khwarij," an early-Islamic designation for rebels.
The operation recovered weapons and ammunition from militants who Pakistani officials described as actively involved in terrorist activities in border regions. The raids occurred as part of broader security operations against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which has intensified attacks against Pakistani forces following the Afghan Taliban's seizure of power in 2021. Pakistani officials frequently accuse the TTP of operating from Afghanistan with Indian backing, charges both countries deny.
The Mohmand district operation preceded additional raids on September 11 in North Waziristan and Bannu districts that killed five more militants, bringing the total to 19 fighters eliminated across three separate engagements. President Asif Ali Zardari praised the operations and the courage of Pakistani soldiers, vowing the country would continue pursuing militants until every terrorist and their facilitators are brought to justice.
The latest operations came after militants attacked a security camp in Bannu last week that killed six soldiers, including the September 2 assault where Major Adnan Aslam died from wounds sustained while shielding wounded soldiers during the attack. The Pakistani Taliban has emerged as a significant security challenge for Islamabad, launching hundreds of attacks against security forces from safe havens across the Afghan border following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
No significant conflict developments, military operations, terrorist attacks, or major cybersecurity incidents were documented across central & south Africa, Asia-Pacific, and cyber theaters on September 10, 2025. The absence of immediate events during this reporting period reflects normal variance in daily conflict cycles rather than resolution of underlying security challenges affecting these regions.