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Yemen Launches Major Offensive Against Houthis With Saudi Support

5:15 AM ETConfirmed

World Desk

In Short: Yemen's government, backed by Saudi Arabia, has launched a major offensive against Houthi forces, aiming to reclaim territories.

Yemen's government, led by the Presidential Leadership Council, launched a major offensive against Houthi forces on Sunday, aiming to reclaim territories held by the Iran-backed group.

Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, stated that the offensive was prompted by the Houthi militias' continued mobilization, escalation, and attacks on civilians, facilities, neighboring countries, and international shipping lanes.

Al-Alimi emphasized that the government had exhausted efforts to pursue peace before ordering the offensive, which aims to recover the remaining territories controlled by the Houthis.

The Saudi-led coalition, which supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government, pledged to provide full operational support to Yemeni government forces as they seek to restore state institutions and end the Houthi coup.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command expressed reservations about launching strikes in Yemen, viewing them as a distraction from its mission against Iran, though it reportedly provides intelligence and targeting support for Saudi operations.

Houthi-controlled armed forces reported that Saudi Arabia had conducted 106 air and missile strikes over the previous 24 hours against Sanaa and other parts of the country, though details on casualties or damage were not provided.

The operation follows a major Houthi offensive last month, during which the group seized control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

Yemen’s government forces launched retaliatory strikes on Houthi targets in Sanaa and Saada, reporting 700 fighters killed, according to armed forces spokesman Col Majed Al Nuzaili.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree countered that Saudi Arabia had launched 50 air strikes and missile attacks against Yemen over the past 12 hours, targeting Sanaa and several provinces.

Saudi Arabia is preparing options for a new military offensive against the Houthis, considering either a focused coastal operation around Bab el-Mandeb or a larger campaign involving several fronts inside Yemen.

Pakistan and Turkey have supplied military equipment to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen, while France has announced plans to provide defensive systems and troops to protect the Saudi Red Sea port of Yanbu.

Regional officials noted that protecting oil facilities and other infrastructure is a major concern for Riyadh as it considers a new operation.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Yemen's government, led by the Presidential Leadership Council, launched a major offensive against Houthi forces on Sunday, aiming to reclaim territories held by the Iran-backed group.
• Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, stated that the offensive was prompted by the Houthi militias' continued mobilization, escalation, and attacks on civilians, facilities, neighboring countries, and international shipping lanes.
• Al-Alimi emphasized that the government had exhausted efforts to pursue peace before ordering the offensive, which aims to recover the remaining territories controlled by the Houthis.
• The Saudi-led coalition, which supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government, pledged to provide full operational support to Yemeni government forces as they seek to restore state institutions and end the Houthi coup.
• Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command expressed reservations about launching strikes in Yemen, viewing them as a distraction from its mission against Iran, though it reportedly provides intelligence and targeting support for Saudi operations.
• Houthi-controlled armed forces reported that Saudi Arabia had conducted 106 air and missile strikes over the previous 24 hours against Sanaa and other parts of the country, though details on casualties or damage were not provided.
• The operation follows a major Houthi offensive last month, during which the group seized control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
• Yemen’s government forces launched retaliatory strikes on Houthi targets in Sanaa and Saada, reporting 700 fighters killed, according to armed forces spokesman Col Majed Al Nuzaili.
• Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree countered that Saudi Arabia had launched 50 air strikes and missile attacks against Yemen over the past 12 hours, targeting Sanaa and several provinces.
• Saudi Arabia is preparing options for a new military offensive against the Houthis, considering either a focused coastal operation around Bab el-Mandeb or a larger campaign involving several fronts inside Yemen.
• Pakistan and Turkey have supplied military equipment to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen, while France has announced plans to provide defensive systems and troops to protect the Saudi Red Sea port of Yanbu.
• Regional officials noted that protecting oil facilities and other infrastructure is a major concern for Riyadh as it considers a new operation.

What's still developing

• He thanked the Saudi Arabian government and people for standing with Yemen.
• The same reporting said the Saudi objective is to reverse Houthi territorial gains and restore conditions that would allow maritime traffic to operate more normally.
• The reported Saudi approach would rely heavily on Yemeni forces operating under Riyadh’s oversight rather than a large Saudi ground intervention.
• The same reporting cited Yemen analyst Mohammed Albasha, who said anti-Houthi forces face organizational and readiness problems that could complicate a sustained offensive.
• Reuters reported that Saudi allies are not expected to take a direct combat role.
• The Houthis have expanded their position toward the southern Red Sea, while attacks involving missiles and drones have increased pressure on Saudi territory and critical infrastructure.
• “In the name of God and in the name of the people... we announce today the commencement of military operations to reclaim the remaining territories of the republic and to extend the authority of the state and its institutions across the entire national territory,” Rashad Al Alimi said.
• Yemen's Houthis face costly battle for anti-rebel stronghold Taiz The Houthis said on Sunday that they had carried out two military operations, using ballistic missiles and drones to attack Aramco oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, one in Riyadh and another in the Khurais area.

Sources

• The SOFX Reportlink
• Thedefensewatchlink
• Thenationalnewslink
• Turkiyetodaylink
• Al Jazeeralink
• Bolnewslink
• Thediplomaticinsightlink
• Foreignpolicylink
• Geosiriuslink
• Newslink
• BBClink
• Dailysabahlink
• WarpBeat — background on Yemen Declares All-Out War Against Houthis link
• WarpBeat — background on Saudi-Led Coalition Rejects Houthi Claim of Riyadh Attack link
• WPLG Local 10 — video link