Yemen’s Army Launches Offensive to Push Back Houthi Rebels

Sun Oct 04 2026 17:21:08 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Saudi‑backed Yemeni forces have begun a military operation to retake Houthi‑held territory, heightening tensions near the Bab al‑Mandab Strait.

The internationally recognised Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia, has announced a major military campaign to reclaim land from the Iran‑backed Houthi movement. The operation follows escalating strikes, including a reported attack on Saudi Aramco facilities, and takes place along the front line in Taiz, a city critical to controlling the southern coast. While the government claims to be regaining strategic positions, the Houthis continue to press their advantage, cutting supply routes to Aden and tightening their hold on Saada. The conflict threatens to disrupt key chokepoints for global oil supplies and could deepen humanitarian suffering in Yemen.

In a bold statement, Yemen’s internationally recognised government has launched a large‑scale military operation aimed at reclaiming areas seized by the Iran‑backed Houthi fighters. The move follows a series of recent exchanges of fire that have seen both sides hardening positions along the front line in Taiz.

The Houthi rebels, who captured the capital Sana’a in 2014 and expanded their reach during the 2020 offensive, have pushed deep into the south, threatening the Bab al‑Mandab Strait—a vital artery for global oil shipments. This new offensive is designed to cut short that advance and re‑establish state control over the coastline.

The launch comes after the Houthis announced on Sunday an attack on Saudi Aramco sites in Riyadh and Khurais, claiming it had struck with drones and ballistic missiles. Saudi Arabia, which has not yet publicly responded, has repeatedly dismissed such claims in the past while persisting with retaliatory strikes against Houthi‑controlled areas.

The government’s televised address, led by President Rashad al‑Alimi, described the operation as “a pivotal moment for the nation,” while Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree vowed to keep hammering “the bright lights of Riyadh’s power”.

Despite the declaration, the war’s future trajectory remains uncertain. The frontline is still anchored in Taiz, with government forces reportedly isolating the city from Aden by cutting the supply corridor that links the two strongholds. The front parties also see each other as the main conduit for the other’s supply line across the country.

Observers note that the conflict, which has been fueled by regional power rivalries, could spill into the Red Sea if the Houthis succeed in dominating the Strait, thereby interrupting one of the world’s thorniest maritime passages.