Yemen Government Launches Major Military Offensive Against Houthi Forces
Yemen's Saudi-backed government has launched a major military offensive aimed at reclaiming territory held by the Iran-backed Houthi armed group. According to The New Arab, in a televised address on Sunday, President Rashad al-Alimi announced the start of operations to restore state authority across the entire country, instructing security and military forces to remain on full alert until the mission is completed.
Escalation of Hostilities
The announcement follows a period of intensifying conflict that reignited in July after a fragile 2022 truce collapsed. The government's military campaign involves precision strikes across multiple regions, including the capital, Sanaa, the northern heartland of Saada, and positions surrounding the key city of Taiz. According to Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, a spokesman for the government forces, the military executed 257 precision targeting operations on Saturday alone, with initial estimates suggesting at least 700 Houthi rebels were killed.
Yemeni authorities closed the al-Houban crossing in Taiz following Houthi military build-ups, cutting off a civilian transit route that had only reopened in 2024 after nine years of closure.
Simultaneously, the Saudi-led coalition has intensified its own aerial and artillery support. On Sunday, coalition forces reported 97 targeting operations against Houthi reinforcements, specifically focusing on the Taiz axis and the Tor al-Baha front. The frontline remains heavily contested, particularly around Taiz, where Houthi forces have reportedly cut a vital supply route linking the city to Aden, the government's interim capital. While the Houthis have not fully captured Taiz, military analysts suggest they have successfully achieved the objective of isolating the city.
Chatham House research fellow Farea Al-Muslimi stated that the Houthis achieved their primary military objective of isolating Taiz from Aden, characterizing the government offensive as meaningless.
Regional Economic Impact
The conflict has increasingly targeted Saudi Arabia's economic infrastructure. On Sunday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for ballistic missile and drone strikes against Saudi Aramco sites in Riyadh and the Khurais oil field. The group stated the attacks were a direct response to 50 coalition air and missile strikes conducted within a 12-hour window. These developments follow the Houthis' seizure of the Red Sea coast in September, including the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, which has significantly disrupted global oil shipping lanes. While Saudi Arabia has not yet commented on the latest claims of damage to its oil facilities, the ongoing exchange of fire underscores the rising risk to regional energy stability as the government attempts to weaken the group's military capabilities.