Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Yemen Announces Offensive as Houthis Advance and Claim Aramco Strikes
Yemen’s government says it is starting a military campaign to take back land held by the Houthis.
The announcement was made by leader Rashad al-Alimi.
The Houthis have recently made gains near Taiz, a city held by government forces.
Reports differed on whether they had already cut the road between Taiz and Aden or were still advancing toward it.
The Houthis also said they fired missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco sites in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia had not immediately confirmed that claim.
Al-Alimi said attempts to calm the fighting had run out.
An analyst said the government’s planned operation might not achieve its goals.
The fighting has forced many people from their homes and made it harder to get supplies and food.
Yemeni leader Rashad al-Alimi announced a campaign to retake territory held by the Houthis.
The announcement followed Houthi advances near Taiz; reports differed on whether they had already cut the Taiz-Aden road or were advancing toward it.
The Houthis said they launched missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco sites in Riyadh and Khurais, claiming major fires; Saudi Arabia had not immediately confirmed the attacks.
Al-Alimi said de-escalation opportunities had been exhausted, while an analyst questioned whether the government offensive could achieve its aims.
The fighting has displaced tens of thousands and disrupted supplies; the World Food Programme said three in four families in parts of Yemen were going hungry.
- Who
- Yemen’s government, led by Rashad al-Alimi, and the Houthi movement; Saudi Arabia is also involved.
- What
- Al-Alimi announced a campaign to retake Houthi-held territory as the Houthis advanced near Taiz and claimed attacks on Saudi Aramco sites.
- When
- Sunday; reports also describe Houthi advances in the preceding days.
- Where
- Yemen, including areas near Taiz, Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait; the claimed attacks targeted sites in Riyadh and Khurais, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Al-Alimi said the campaign would restore state authority and followed the exhaustion of opportunities for de-escalation.
Yemeni government position
Houthi claims and reported gains
Military campaign
Yemeni government position
Al-Alimi said the government would launch operations to retake territory and restore state authority after opportunities for de-escalation had been exhausted.
Houthi claims and reported gains
The reports describe continued Houthi advances; the Houthis said they acted amid Saudi-led strikes, while an analyst questioned whether the government campaign could achieve its aims.
Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Yemeni government position
Saudi Arabia supports the Yemeni government; there was no immediate Saudi confirmation of the claimed attacks on Aramco sites.
Houthi claims and reported gains
The Houthis said they struck Aramco sites with missiles and drones and claimed the attacks were in response to Saudi-led strikes in Yemen.
Situation around Taiz
Yemeni government position
Taiz remains under government control, and reports say Houthi advances threaten its road connection with Aden and could intensify the humanitarian crisis.
Houthi claims and reported gains
The Houthis reportedly made gains near Taiz. Reports differ on whether they had already cut the Taiz-Aden road or were advancing toward it; an analyst said isolating the city would meet a military objective.
- Announced campaign
- Rashad al-Alimi said Yemeni forces would begin operations to retake territory held by the Houthis.
- Taiz-Aden route
- Reports differed: one said Houthi forces had cut the road, while others described them advancing toward the last road linking Taiz and Aden.
- Claimed Saudi targets
- The Houthis said missiles and drones targeted Aramco sites in Riyadh and the Khurais area.
- Saudi response
- There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi Arabia of the claimed attacks.
- Saudi role
- Saudi Arabia has led a coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government since 2015.
- Humanitarian impact
- The reports cite tens of thousands displaced and disrupted supplies; the World Food Programme said three in four families in parts of Yemen were going hungry.
