Yemen Launches Full-Scale Offensive to Retake Houthi Territory as Saudi Coalition Pledges Support
Yemen’s internationally recognized government has launched a major military operation to reclaim all territory held by the Iran-backed Houthis, including the capital Sanaa and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The offensive follows a recent Houthi surge that seized key Red Sea ports and cut supply lines to the government-held city of Taiz. Saudi Arabia has pledged full operational support, while the Houthis have retaliated with missile strikes on Saudi oil infrastructure. The conflict has displaced tens of thousands and deepened a severe humanitarian crisis, with three in four families facing hunger in affected areas.
Key points
- Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s presidential council, announced the start of military operations to restore state authority across the entire country.
- The Saudi-led coalition pledged full operational support, describing the offensive as an effort to end the Houthi coup and restore state institutions.
- Houthi forces have cut the main supply route linking Taiz with the interim capital, Aden, and are reportedly surrounding Taiz city.
- The Houthis claimed to have targeted Aramco facilities in Riyadh and Khurais, as well as King Khalid Airport, in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes.
- The World Food Program reported that three out of every four families in parts of Yemen are going hungry due to the surge in fighting.
Background
The current escalation follows a period of relative calm after a 2022 UN-brokered truce, which ended in August 2026 when violence surged. The Houthis had previously seized swathes of the Red Sea coastline, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for international shipping. The conflict, which began in 2015, has already killed over 377,000 people, with many deaths resulting from hunger and disease.
How outlets are covering it
The Guardian and CNN emphasize the ambitious scope of the Yemeni government’s offensive and the Saudi coalition’s commitment to support. Al Jazeera highlights the broader regional context, including the Mecca defense pact and the rapid military deployment of Turkish and Pakistani forces to bolster Saudi security. All sources agree on the severity of the humanitarian crisis, but differ in their emphasis on the geopolitical implications of the conflict, with Al Jazeera focusing on the Iran-Saudi rivalry and the others on the immediate military developments.
Why it matters
The outcome of this offensive could shift the balance of power in Yemen and exacerbate an already bleak humanitarian crisis. The conflict also threatens global trade and energy routes, as the Houthis have targeted Saudi oil infrastructure and international shipping lanes. The escalation has drawn in regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, and has raised concerns about the stability of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
What to watch
The Saudi-led coalition is expected to continue providing air and naval support to Yemeni forces. The Houthis are likely to continue retaliating with missile strikes on Saudi targets. The humanitarian situation is expected to worsen as fighting intensifies, with more people displaced and food shortages becoming more severe. Regional powers, including Turkey and Pakistan, are expected to play a larger role in supporting Saudi security.
- Yemen’s Saudi-backed government launches military drive to retake all Houthi-held territory The Guardian
- Houthis Claim Attack on Aramco as Yemen Conflict Escalates The New York Times
- Watch Saudi-Backed Yemen Forces Begin Operation to Retake Houthi Areas Bloomberg.com
- Saudi-led coalition pledges support for Yemeni offensive against Iran-backed Houthis CNN
- Iran war live: Yemen fighting intensifies; Tehran says ready for US attacks Al Jazeera
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