Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Yemen Announces Offensive as Houthis Advance Near Taiz
Yemen’s government says it is starting military operations to take back areas held by the Houthis.
Its leader, Rashad al-Alimi, said the goal is to bring state authority across the country.
A government spokesman said forces carried out 257 strikes and killed about 700 Houthi fighters, but those figures are the government’s claims.
Military sources say the Houthis have gained ground near Taiz.
They are also advancing toward the last road connecting Taiz with Aden.
If that road is cut, Taiz could be isolated and Aden could face greater pressure.
Yemeni sources also reported that Houthi forces seized a home belonging to Parliament Speaker Sultan al-Barakani.
One article says the Houthis captured the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while the other describes their control of the chokepoint differently.
The articles also report concerns about renewed fighting and its effects on civilians and shipping.
Yemen’s internationally recognised government leader Rashad al-Alimi announced military operations to retake territory held by the Houthis.
Al-Alimi said the operations aim to extend state authority across Yemen; a government spokesman said forces carried out 257 strikes and killed about 700 Houthi fighters.
Military sources reported Houthi gains on hilltops near Taiz and an advance toward the last road linking Taiz and Aden.
Yemeni sources said Houthi forces seized the home of Parliament Speaker Sultan al-Barakani after clashes south of Taiz.
One article reports that the Houthis captured the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while another describes their control of it as having followed a recent offensive.
- Who
- Yemen’s internationally recognised government, led by Rashad al-Alimi, and Houthi forces.
- What
- The government announced military operations to retake Houthi-held territory amid reports of Houthi advances near Taiz.
- When
- Al-Alimi announced the operations on Sunday; the government said its reported strikes took place on Saturday. One article places Houthi advances within the preceding 48 hours.
- Where
- Yemen, including areas near Taiz, the Taiz–Aden road, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- Why
- Al-Alimi said the operations are intended to restore state authority across Yemen and retake territory.
Government account
Reported Houthi momentum
Territorial control
Government account
Al-Alimi said government forces would begin operations to retake territory and extend state authority across Yemen.
Reported Houthi momentum
Military sources said Houthi forces had gained ground near Taiz and were advancing toward the road linking Taiz and Aden.
Military results
Government account
A government spokesman claimed forces carried out 257 precision strikes and killed about 700 Houthi fighters.
Reported Houthi momentum
The articles describe continuing Houthi advances, but provide no Houthi response to the government’s strike and casualty claims.
Bab el-Mandeb control
Government account
The announced operation is presented as a bid to recover territory after Houthi gains.
Reported Houthi momentum
One article says the Houthis captured the Bab el-Mandeb Strait; the other says they seized control of it in a recent offensive. The reports do not independently establish the claim.
- Government leader
- Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council
- Announced objective
- Retake territory and extend state authority across Yemen
- Reported strikes
- 257 precision targeting operations on Saturday, according to a government forces spokesman
- Reported Houthi deaths
- About 700, according to the same government spokesman
- Reported Houthi advances
- Strategic hilltops near Taiz and toward the last road between Taiz and Aden
- Reported seizure
- Yemeni sources said Houthi forces took Parliament Speaker Sultan al-Barakani’s home south of Taiz
- Bab el-Mandeb
- One article says Houthi forces captured the strait; the accounts differ in how they describe the reported control
