Yemen’s internationally recognised government declared it would launch comprehensive military operations aimed at recapturing all territory held by the Houthis, according to an announcement made by President Rashad al-Alimi. The statement came following intensified military exchanges between the rival forces, including recent Houthi attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and coalition strikes in response.
The Houthis, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for striking facilities operated by Saudi national oil company Aramco in Riyadh and the Khurais region. According to a military spokesman, the attacks employed ballistic missiles and drones and achieved their intended objectives, though Saudi Arabia has not yet issued a public response. The announcement of expanded government operations follows a significant Houthi offensive last month that resulted in the group securing control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline, including the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait used for international shipping.
Military operations have already intensified across multiple fronts. Government forces have maintained sustained attacks on the capital Sanaa, which has remained under Houthi control for more than a decade, as well as targeting positions in the Saada region, the Houthis’ northern stronghold. However, security sources indicate the Iran-backed group has continued to advance militarily despite these efforts. The strategic focus remains on the city of Taiz, a government-held location in the southwest, which sources report has been effectively isolated after the Houthis cut supply routes connecting it to Aden, the interim government capital.
The conflict reflects broader regional instability and carries significant economic implications. Yemen, already among the world’s poorest nations and experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis, has been engaged in armed conflict since 2014 when Houthis initially seized the capital. Saudi-led coalition intervention began the following year. After a period of relative stability, fighting resumed recently as regional tensions escalated. Analysts note the potential economic costs for Saudi Arabia and the global economy should large-scale military operations resume against the Houthis.
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