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Yemen Announces Offensive as Houthis Tighten Grip Near Bab el-Mandeb
Yemen's government says it is starting a military operation to take back land controlled by the Houthis.
The announcement came as the Houthis made gains near Taiz, a city held by government forces.
Sources said the group cut an important road connecting Taiz with Aden.
The reports differ on the extent of the threat to Taiz, describing the city as surrounded or at risk of siege.
The Houthis also said they fired missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco sites in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia had not immediately confirmed that claim.
Yemen's government says efforts to calm the fighting have failed.
The fighting has made life harder for many people, disrupting supplies and leaving families without enough food.
Yemeni leader Rashad al-Alimi announced a military operation to retake territory held by the Houthis.
The announcement came as Houthi forces advanced near Taiz and cut a key road linking the city with Aden, according to sources cited in one report.
The Houthis said they launched missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco sites in Riyadh and Khurais; Saudi Arabia had not immediately confirmed the claim.
The government said de-escalation efforts had been exhausted, while an analyst questioned whether the announced offensive could achieve its aims.
Fighting has displaced tens of thousands and disrupted supplies, with the World Food Programme reporting severe hunger in parts of Yemen.
- Who
- Yemen's government, led by Rashad al-Alimi, and the Houthi movement; Saudi Arabia is also involved.
- What
- Al-Alimi announced a military operation to retake Houthi-held territory as the Houthis advanced near Taiz and claimed attacks on Saudi Aramco sites.
- Where
- Yemen, including areas near Taiz, Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait; the claimed attacks targeted sites in Riyadh and Khurais, Saudi Arabia.
- When
- Sunday; the reports also describe Houthi gains and fighting in the preceding days.
- Why
- Al-Alimi said the operation would restore state authority and that opportunities for de-escalation had been exhausted.
Government position
Houthi position and reported gains
Military operation
Government position
Al-Alimi said the government had exhausted opportunities for de-escalation and ordered forces to begin an operation to retake territory and restore state authority.
Houthi position and reported gains
The reports say the Houthis continued advancing on the ground; an analyst described the government's announced offensive as unlikely to accomplish its stated aims.
Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Government position
The reports describe Saudi Arabia as supporting the Yemeni government and say there was no immediate Saudi confirmation of the Houthi attack claim.
Houthi position and reported gains
The Houthis said they targeted Aramco sites with missiles and drones in response to Saudi-led strikes on Yemen.
Situation around Taiz
Government position
Taiz remains under government forces, though Houthi advances threaten its connection to Aden and could worsen conditions for civilians.
Houthi position and reported gains
Houthi forces reportedly took control of an area and cut the main supply road; a researcher said they had achieved the objective of isolating Taiz from Aden.
Key facts
- Announced operation
- Rashad al-Alimi said Yemeni forces would begin a campaign to retake Houthi-held territory.
- Taiz supply route
- Sources in one report said Houthi forces cut the main road between Taiz and Aden.
- Houthi attack claim
- The Houthis said missiles and drones targeted Saudi Aramco sites in Riyadh and Khurais.
- Saudi response
- There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi Arabia of the claimed attacks.
- Saudi involvement
- Saudi Arabia has led a coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognised government since 2015.
- Humanitarian impact
- The reports cite tens of thousands displaced and supply disruptions; the World Food Programme said three in four families in parts of Yemen were going hungry.
Quotes
Mohammed Al-Qadhi
Veteran Yemeni journalist from Taiz and political analyst
“I announce today the start of military operations to retake the remaining territories of the republic and extend the authority of the state and its institutions across the entire national territory”
NDTV
telegraphindia.com
“This will help them protect their back in case of any operation against the coastline, and make recapturing those areas much more difficult.”
telegraphindia.com
Police source in the area
A police source reporting on Houthi advances near Taiz
“We were informed that the Houthis had taken control of the al-Safiya area, where they cut the main road and took control of the police station”
NDTV
Sources
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