Key facts
- Yemen's President Rashad al-Alimi announced a major military operation to reclaim territory from Iran-backed Houthis.
- The offensive aims to restore state authority throughout Yemen.
- Yemeni government forces reported killing at least 700 Houthi rebels in 257 precision targeting operations.
- The Saudi-led coalition conducted 97 "precise targeting operations" against Houthi reinforcements.
- Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the group fired ballistic missiles and drones at two Saudi Aramco sites.
Yemen's internationally recognized government, backed by Saudi Arabia, has launched a significant military operation to reclaim territory from the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. President Rashad al-Alimi announced the offensive on Sunday, stating its aim is to restore state authority and institutions across the entire country.
The announcement follows increased fighting and Houthi advances. In mid-September, the rebels seized the port city of Mocha and strategic islands in the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a vital route for global oil shipments. The conflict has intensified since a fragile 2022 truce collapsed in July, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.
In a televised address, al-Alimi instructed armed forces and military formations to begin carrying out their tasks under an approved plan until the country is liberated. He added that all state institutions would be placed on full alert until the mission is completed.
This development comes after Yemeni forces conducted 257 precision targeting operations against Houthi sites on Saturday, with initial estimates indicating at least 700 Houthi rebels were killed, according to Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, spokesman for the Yemeni government forces. The Saudi-led coalition also reported carrying out 97 "precise targeting operations" against Houthi reinforcements.
Early Sunday, Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the group's forces fired ballistic missiles and drones at two Saudi Aramco sites in Saudi Arabia, one in Riyadh and another in Khurais. Saudi Arabia has not immediately commented on the claim.