Yemeni government leader announces major military operation against Houthi rebels

The leader of the Yemeni government, supported by Saudi Arabia, announced this Sunday (4) the start of a major military operation against the Houthi rebels — supported by Iran — with the aim of retaking the territory under their control.

"Today, I announce the start of military operations to retake the remaining territory of the Republic and extend the authority of the State and its institutions throughout the national territory," Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi said in a televised address.

It is not yet clear whether the country received international support to do so or the extent of the operation.

Earlier, during the night, the Yemeni Armed Forces had already reported that they were carrying out attacks against the Houthis in the capital Sanaa and in the Saada region, the group's stronghold.

A spokesman for Yemeni forces, aligned with the internationally recognized government, said troops were targeting what he described as "vital targets", without providing further details.

Houthi-controlled broadcaster Al Masirah previously reported an attack on Sanaa that was allegedly carried out by Saudi Arabia. There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi Arabia on the report.

The conflict between the Iran-backed Houthis and forces aligned with the Saudi-backed government had largely ceased after a truce in 2022, but fighting has resumed as an offshoot of the broader war between Iran and the United States.

Hostilities resumed this year after the Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July and began attacking Saudi territory and vessels, at the same time that Houthi forces made significant territorial gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast.

Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes in Yemen and supported government forces fighting to drive rebels out of the country.