The military coalition led by Saudi Arabia joined the Yemeni government’s offensive against Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Monday

The Saudi-led military coalition joined on Monday the offensive launched by the Yemeni government against Iran-backed Houthi forces. The operation is taking place in Yemen, including in the strategic area of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is essential for international maritime transport.

Coalition spokesman General Turki al-Maliki announced that 100 fighter jets took part at dawn in “Operation Yemen’s Sunrise.” According to him, the coalition is providing permanent air support to government forces on the ground and has destroyed 324 “high-value targets” since the operation began.

The offensive was launched on Sunday after Houthi forces blocked the road between Taiz and Aden. The Yemeni government, led by the Presidential Council, announced that it seeks to recapture the entire territory controlled by the rebels.

On Monday, government forces took control of key positions and extensive areas in the Dhubab district, which overlooks the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with Saudi air support. Houthi-affiliated media, however, denied that the rebels had lost ground.

The conflict intensified after the Houthis secured important victories against government and Saudi forces. At the same time, the rebels claimed responsibility for an attack on an oil pipeline in eastern Saudi Arabia, which allegedly disrupted oil shipments along the East–West route. This became an important alternative after navigation through the Strait of Hormuz was restricted.