Yemen's president announces offensive against Houthi rebels

Yemen’s President, Rashad al-Alimi, announced in a televised address the start of military operations to retake territories controlled by the Houthi rebels and extend the government’s authority over the entire country. He ordered the armed forces, security services, and military formations to implement the plans prepared for the offensive.

The decision was made after, according to the Yemeni leader, efforts to de-escalate had been exhausted. Al-Alimi accused the Houthi rebels of responding to attempts at calming the situation with new mobilizations and military actions.

Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government, is expected to provide air support, while government troops are expected to conduct ground operations. Riyadh intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015, after the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa.

Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed to have launched ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco facilities in Riyadh and Khurais. The rebels said the attacks were a response to dozens of airstrikes on Yemen, but Saudi Arabia did not immediately confirm the reports.

The offensive comes after new rebel advances near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the city of Taiz. Capturing the Taiz-Aden route could isolate the city and worsen the humanitarian crisis in a country where millions of people are already facing food shortages and displacement.