Yemen’s Saudi-backed government announces major offensive against Iran-backed Houthis

Yemen’s Saudi-Backed Government Begins Offensive Against Houthis

Activelifezero.com – Yemen s Saudi backed government has announced a major military offensive against the Iran-backed Houthi movement, signaling the possibility of renewed and wider fighting in a country already scarred by years of war. The campaign comes as Houthi advances and threats to Red Sea shipping raise concerns for Yemenis and international trade.

Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s presidential council, declared the operation in a televised address on Sunday. He said the goal was to retake areas under Houthi control and restore government authority across the country.

“The Houthi militias’ continued mobilization, escalation and attacks, as well as their threats against civilians, facilities, neighboring countries, and international shipping lanes.”

Red Sea Tensions Add Pressure

The announcement followed rapid Houthi gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. In early September, the group captured territory extending south toward the Bab al-Mandeb waterway, a narrow maritime passage linking the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The route is vital for commercial shipping, energy transport and global trade.

The Houthis said Saudi vessels trying to use the passage would be vulnerable to attack. Since late July, the group has also launched ballistic missiles and drones toward targets in Saudi Arabia, including industrial facilities and energy infrastructure.

Yemen s Saudi backed government has long relied on Saudi support in its conflict with the Houthis, but the latest operation is being presented as a broader effort to recover territory and reestablish national institutions.

Government Describes “Battle for Liberation”

Military spokesperson Majid Al-Nuzaili said government forces had entered a “battle for liberation.” He urged Houthi-aligned fighters to lay down their weapons and return home, while saying the government would seek to protect civilians during the operation.

A large offensive had been expected after Saudi airstrikes hit Houthi positions and the group made additional gains in southern Yemen. The Houthis said Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, was struck by Saudi air raids on Saturday and again early Sunday. The Saudi-led coalition did not confirm those claims.

The Houthis also said that, following more than 50 strikes on Sanaa and other locations, they targeted Saudi energy facilities on Sunday. A Houthi military statement claimed that Aramco sites in Riyadh and the Khurais area were hit and that major fires followed. Saudi authorities had not commented on the reported attacks.

Taiz and Al-Jawf Remain Key Front Lines

Recent fighting has centered in part on Taiz, in southern Yemen. The Houthis have sought to isolate government forces in the regional capital, where thousands of government troops are stationed. Taiz is Yemen’s third-largest city and home to several hundred thousand people.

On Sunday, the Houthis said they had taken control of an important highway connecting Taiz and Aden, where Yemen s Saudi backed government is based. Control of major roads can determine military access while also affecting civilian travel, food deliveries, fuel supplies and evacuation routes.

In al-Jawf, the Houthis claimed that missile and drone attacks caused heavy casualties among government forces repositioning for the offensive. Independent information about the reported losses was not immediately available.

Humanitarian Crisis Could Worsen

Government forces and the Houthis have fought for more than a decade. The wider conflict began in March 2015 and has produced one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies. Saudi air power and a blockade of Houthi-held areas have been central parts of the conflict.

The latest escalation has already forced tens of thousands of people from their homes. A sustained offensive could change control of territory, further disrupt Red Sea shipping and worsen conditions for civilians facing hunger, disease and repeated displacement.

The World Food Program said last week that three out of every four families in parts of Yemen were going hungry as fighting intensified. For families near the front lines, even short disruptions can cut off access to markets, medical care, fuel and safe transport.

The United Nations estimated that Yemen’s war had caused 377,000 deaths by the end of 2021 when direct and indirect causes were included. More than 150,000 people were killed directly in armed violence, while many others died because of hunger, disease and the collapse of essential services.

FAQ: What the New Yemen Offensive Means

Who is leading the offensive?

The offensive was announced by Rashad al-Alimi, who leads Yemen’s presidential council. Yemen s Saudi backed government says the campaign is intended to recover Houthi-held areas and restore state authority.

Why is the Bab al-Mandeb waterway important?

The Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean. Commercial ships carrying goods and energy supplies use the route, so threats or attacks in the area can affect international shipping and trade.

What could the fighting mean for civilians?

More fighting could increase displacement and make it harder for people to reach food, fuel, health care and safe transportation. Communities in contested areas are especially vulnerable when roads, markets and supply routes are disrupted.