Key facts
- Yemen's President Rachad al-Alimi announced a large-scale military operation against Houthi rebels.
- The offensive aims to recapture remaining territories and extend state authority nationwide.
- Houthi rebels cut a vital supply route connecting Taez to Aden.
- The Houthi rebels are described as pro-Iranian.
- The Yemeni government is supported by Saudi Arabia.
Yemen's internationally recognized government, supported by Saudi Arabia, has launched a significant military operation against the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. President Rachad al-Alimi announced the offensive on Sunday, stating its goal is to reclaim the remaining territories and extend the authority of the state and its institutions across the entire national territory.
The announcement follows reports that Houthi rebels had cut a vital supply route connecting Taez, a major city in the southwest that they are currently encircling, to Aden, where the internationally recognized government is based. Security sources and witnesses confirmed the Houthi takeover of the al-Safiya sector, which includes the main road and a police station, disrupting the flow of supplies and reinforcements to Taez.
Fighting has intensified in recent days, with the Houthis inflicting significant setbacks on government forces and their Saudi allies in September. The rebels have also strengthened their control over the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait and regularly conduct strikes against Saudi Arabia and its fleet. The conflict in Yemen began in 2014 with the Houthi takeover of the capital, Sanaa, and Saudi Arabia intervened in 2015 leading a coalition to support the government.