The Yemeni Government Announces the Start of a Large-Scale Military Operation Against the Houthis

- The Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday the start of a wide military operation aimed at repelling the advances made by the Iranian-backed Houthi group in recent times. The Houthis, supported by Iran, launched a swift attack along the Red Sea coast last month and managed to seize a major port, increasing pressure on international maritime security.

Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Alimi stated in a televised speech on Sunday that the military operations aim to regain the territories still controlled by the Houthis and restore state authority across the country. A military offensive was widely anticipated, given the dozens of Saudi airstrikes on Houthi positions, as well as the Houthis making further advances in southern Yemen.

Alimi noted that the decision to commence operations came in the wake of "the continued mobilization, escalation, and attacks by Houthi militias, in addition to their threats to civilians, facilities, neighboring countries, and international shipping lanes." He affirmed, "We are transitioning from a phase of readiness and preparation to a phase of liberation after exhausting all opportunities for de-escalation," adding: "Based on our constitutional responsibility to protect the sovereignty of the republic and its citizens, and based on the decisions of the National Defense Council, and after completing the necessary procedures and measures, I announce today the start of military operations to reclaim what remains of the republic's territories and to restore state authority and its institutions over the entire national territory."

Alimi indicated that he issued directives to the armed forces, security, and all military formations "to begin executing their assigned tasks according to the approved plans, until the country is liberated from the grip of the terrorist Houthi militia." The Houthis reported that Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on the capital, Sana'a, on Saturday and then renewed the strikes early on Sunday.

The "Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen" did not confirm the occurrence of these airstrikes. In response to more than 50 airstrikes targeting Sana'a and other areas, the Houthis claimed on Sunday that they targeted vital energy facilities in Saudi Arabia.

A military statement from the Houthis said: "The first attack targeted Aramco in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, while the second targeted Aramco in the Khurais area," adding that the attacks caused large fires at the targeted sites. No comment has been issued by Saudi authorities regarding these alleged attacks.

The renewed fighting has already led to the displacement of tens of thousands from their homes, while upcoming developments may affect the balance of power in Yemen, as well as causing further disruption to shipping traffic through the Red Sea. In early September, the Houthis seized large areas of the Yemeni coast along the Red Sea, extending south to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is a vital passage for commercial ships heading to the Indian Ocean.

The Houthis announced that they would target Saudi ships attempting to cross the strait, threatening to impose additional pressures on global trade routes and energy transport pathways. Since late July, the Houthis have launched ballistic missiles and drones towards multiple targets in Saudi Arabia, including industrial facilities and energy installations.

Much of the recent fighting has focused in the Taiz region of southern Yemen, where the Houthis have sought to cut supply lines and isolate government forces in the regional capital. The Houthis stated on Sunday that they had taken control of a major highway linking Taiz to the Yemeni government's headquarters in Aden.