Yemen's Saudi-backed government announces military operation against Houthis

Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi announced the commencement of a major military operation against the Iran-backed Houthi movement on October 4. In a televised address, the leader of the Saudi-backed government stated that the campaign is intended to retake territory currently held by the Houthis and restore the authority of state institutions across the entire nation.

The announcement follows reports from regional and Western officials indicating that Saudi Arabia and its Yemeni allies had been planning a coordinated assault. Under this strategy, Saudi forces are expected to lead aerial combat operations, while Yemeni government forces conduct the fighting on the ground.

Saudi Arabia has been involved in the Yemeni civil war since 2015, leading an Arab coalition to support the internationally recognized government after the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa. While a truce established in 2022 remained largely effective for several years, hostilities intensified in 2026 when the Houthis began launching missile and drone attacks against Saudi shipping and oil infrastructure.

The current military push comes at a time when the Houthis have maintained significant momentum on the battlefield. In recent weeks, the group successfully executed a rapid offensive along the coast, resulting in the collapse of government defensive positions and the seizure of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait serves as a critical maritime chokepoint, acting as the southern exit passage for the Red Sea. The government's new military initiative aims to reverse these recent territorial losses and challenge the Houthi control that has persisted despite the planned counteroffensive.